I've been trying to find a place for shanghai soup buns, because the best ones I've had so far were in NY's Chinatown, Shanghai Cafe has some pretty good soup buns. Well, I've finally found the place! Dim Sum Garden isn't in the best location ever and the interior decoration might as well look like a regular cafe in HK/China (which does give you that feel of being in a cafe in another country). But they've got pretty good soup buns! We just tried some small plates and an order of broccoli and chicken which isn't exactly what you would think it'd to be. They marinate their chicken with star anise and other flavors. So don't think white chicken breast because it's not. Got an order of the regular pork soup buns, an order of the crab meat and scallion pancakes. The pork ones were better and the scallion pancakes were a bit on the salty side. Other than that, this place is fulfilling and cheap. A hole in the city, but quite a popular place. I would definitely come back for the soup buns since I now know a location that makes them fresh!
(4)
Sandro C.
Noodles and dumplings are made on premises. All fresh, authentic and highly tasty.
(5)
Liz B.
I originally wrote a 5 star review back in 11/2011, but I have officially removed it. I will admit that I used to love this place because their pork juicy buns are delicious,however the service that I have received the past two visits was horrible. Service here was never great to begin with, but it was tolerable until my last two visits. Tonight I went with a group of friends and we had to ask for water more than three times before getting any. One person at my table was told to go get her own drink - in a very rude tone. Our plates were dropped onto the table. On week days when there is less of a crowd, I have had better service, but still. This is unacceptable - I don't care how busy you are - it's no excuse for treating your reoccurring customers like trash. I will never recommend nor step into this place again no matter how much I crave their juicy buns.
(1)
MC M.
You could walk right past Dim Sum Garden. It's small, located under a creepy overpass kind of thing, filled with cheap plastic tables and chairs. You could walk right past it and never know ecstasy. Dim Sum Garden is the best, affordable dim sum in Philly. I SAID IT. D and I strolled in, starving, and were promptly attended by our very sweet, very thorough waitress. It took us a few moments, but we ordered the juicy pork buns ("soup dumplings"), the bok choy, the shrimp noodles and the scallion pancake. On the waitress's recommendation, we also bought the seasonal mooncake. The mooncake is KILLER. It comes in this really succulent flaky dough. The meat is ground very fine and is hard to describe -- it has a distinctly earthy flavor while remaining really juicy. The juicy buns (about 5$ for eight) are fucking phenomenal, the end. Great flavor, great amount of liquid, beautiful little dumpling shells. I personally enjoy the bok choy (maybe 4$ish?) and their ocean of oil. The scallion pancake is GREAT (2.50$, to fuel your addiction), put some dumpling sauce and nom away. I was less impressed with the shrimp noodles (5$ something): the noodles were fresh and chewy, but I think the dish needs a more robust meat (duck, pork, beef) to really come together. We got all of that for a grand total of 24$. We were stuffed. We rolled out, singing Dim Sum Garden's praises. So, go get it, Philly.
(5)
francis d.
I'm pretty surprised at the lack of dim sum spots in philly's chinatown. After seeing all praise this place was receiving I thought it would be top notch. I was wrong, this place is mediocre at best. Me and my group of five had the scallion pancake, siu mai ( which had rice in it, which was meh), pork and chive pan fried dumplings, and the soup dumplings (forgot what they were called). Nothing really stood out, maybe the dumplings with soup inside. I admit I am pretty spoiled since I'm from southern california originally. But for all the high reviews.... I dont get it.
(3)
Steve E.
Get the soup dumplings! Pretty delicious. When you are done getting soy sauce and soup all over the front of your face and shirt/blouse, dive right into the scallion pancakes. Both of these dishes are the best things this restaurant offers. Definitely go there for those two things
(4)
Cher B.
I've had shanghai dumplings at Joe's in NY and Chinese restaurants in Sf...this one in Philly was MOST DELICIOUS. The dumplings were bigger and meatier and hit the spot. I'm almost ashamed to say that I enjoyed this meal better than the 2 cheesesteak shops I visited, which were the main reasons I came to Philly. We also ordered the fried dumplings, which were also DELICIOUS. We came in for a mid day snack and these two items were exactly what we needed. Also, the service here was awesome. Food came out fast and everyone who worked there was SO NICE. (I'm not used to this--in SF Chinese restaurants, 98% of service is pretty terrible). Excellent food & service- if I were in Philly again, I might skip the cheesesteak and get some dumplings. Never thought I would ever say that.
(5)
Connie F.
The crab meat shao long ton ( soup dumpling) bao was delicous!!
(4)
Emily W.
Location and bright fluorescent lights aside, this place is worth a visit. It's now my go-to for steamed vegetable buns AND steamed vegetable dumplings. Not only do they not skimp on the fillings and have tons of veggies, they are super flavorful and fresh tasting. We got a lot of food for our table of four and my favorites (other than the veggie stuff) were the pan fried pork dumplings and the pork dumpling and noodle soup. The pork wasn't too greasy and it was moist and gingery. I wasn't a huge fan of the pickled cabbage and pork noodles- a little stinky and funky tasting- but the other people (Asians) in my party liked them. I also liked that they had sauteed Chinese broccoli, but unfortunately, it was probably the greasiest item we got. They have a slim dessert selection so I recommend going to one of the Chinatown bakeries to satisfy your sweet tooth. The service was super-quick and friendly. And the price- cheap. They're a great alternative if you find yourself waiting in too long of a line for dim sum in the Chinatown area.
(4)
Nan S.
my worry is there are too much pork fat in the dumplings (all kinds). I am very wary of animal fat in general, although I know a little fat is required for the good taste. Priced very reasonable.
(3)
Danielle P.
I think that the food at Dim Sum Garden is exquisite. Every time I go there, I get the pan fried juicy buns and tofu curry soup for $10. Though the restaurant is located under a bridge, the food is still better than anything you'll get at a Chinese take-out place.
(4)
Vicky T.
I have actually already written a review for this place but unfortunately Yelp Team took it off because they (or someone) found it offensive even though I was greatly humiliated by the people working in this restaurant. I probably did use some bad words when I was very mad about my experience. I apologize for that. But I'm going to write this review to speak up about my bad experience there again. This time I'll be as courteous as possible. So the first thing I did when my friend and I entered the restaurant was to go use the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom, a guy working there just kept banging on the door and yelling at me. I was very certain that he wasn't a customer because I saw him working behind the counter. And I was very certain I was not in anyone's way because I didn't see anyone else waiting to use the bathroom. I was already feeling very humiliated at that point. After I left the bathroom, I walked over to my friend and saw that she was very upset. Apparently while she was waiting for me, the lady working there kept asking her to order food. My friend didn't know about Chinese food as well as I do so she actually didn't know what to order. But that lady just kept pressuring her. She also overheard the people working there bad mouthing me and complaining that I was taking too much time in the bathroom. First of all, there was no one else waiting for the bathroom. Second of all, I was seriously not taking that long. And it's natural for girls to take longer time than guys. They were speaking in Chinese. But my friend is Chinese-American so she does understand a lot of Chinese. I was going to order some Shanghai Pork buns from them before I stepped in the restaurant because Shanghai Pork buns have always been one of my favorite food. But both my friend and I were very upset about what happened so we decided to leave. The lady saw us and screamed at us "are you just going to leave?! Seriously?! You're not going to order anything?!". She was acting all mean and rude so we were basically forced to order some pork buns to go. Then I heard her saying to her coworker in Chinese "these girls are so shameless!". Apparently she didn't know that we both knew Chinese. I was very very mad at her! I confronted her afterward. She immediately changed her attitude and started to suck up to us after she realized we understood everything she said. But this feeling of humiliation and anger I got from them stayed strong in my mind. Their pork buns are pretty good I admit. But their customer services are too terrible. It's more than terrible. I have never been humiliated by restaurants workers before this. And I didn't do anything wrong! They simply do not have any idea what customer service is! Even though it is their job to serve! Some of you might argue for them that it was just a misunderstanding. They did it because they thought I was just there to use their bathroom. But they didn't have to keep banging on the bathroom door while I was in it and yell at us. And they shouldn't have said all those rude things about us behind our back. Most importantly, as their customers we should have the rights to decide whether we want their food or not! Not being forced into ordering from them. Apparently to these people all that matters is making money. They don't have the slightest respect for their customers! I don't care that their pork buns are pretty good anymore. I will never go back there again!
(1)
Nancy L.
3.5 stars. Decent XLB for Philly but if you've had them anywhere else, these are somewhat disappointing. There wasn't much soup inside and it was a little bland. I also like them with the slivers of julienned ginger this place didn't provide. The pan fried dumplings are cooked better and you can get them in a variety of fillings. The scalion pancakes were golden brown, crispy and tasted pretty good. Chicken and broccoli over rice is better at panda express. The chicken was oddly flavored. Seafood chow mein was better. It came with mussles, shrimp, fish cakes and the noodles were nicely soft, thick and chewy.
(3)
Sylvia C.
I don't know what drew me to the place. I had not read it's review on yelp. I just walked in out of the blue. Must have been the neon lights at the entrance that hypnotized me because anyone who didn't know anything about this place would never walk in. Yes, the decor is that cheesy. For those of you who know what I am talking about, it looks like one of those Chinese-run places that serve fried chicken and donuts. I wasn't particular about what to order so I just got whatever the waitress recommended. Crab xiao long bao, zha jiang noodles, and marinated cold cucumber. I was quite surprised that there was authentic shanghainese cuisine on the menu. Off to a good start. The crab xiao long bao is really juicy /brothy. 5 stars. The skin was perfect. Thin enough to not be doughy but strong enough to not break and hold all the broth. It's also a great deal at $5.75 for 8. It was way better than Shanghsi Joe's in NYC. Now the bad. The zha jiang mein tasted like crap, not how it is suppose to taste. Zha Jiang is made from black bean sauce and sweet dark sauce. This tasted like Chinese 5 spice version of spaghetti bolognese. The marinated cucumber was not what I had expected but it was decently good. It seemed more like a stir fry dish. In summary, worth a try. Don't let the bus alley scare you away. I am headed there again tomorrow to try the onion scallion pancake. Update. The scallion pancake is thin, crispy, and greasy. Good, but I will probably die from a heart attack if I eat too much of it. The scallion flavor is fragrant and I can taste it. I would give a B+.
(4)
Joe B.
Vicky: You're too whiney. We're not here to hear about your awkward encounters. All we care about is the food. Sometimes, it's all perception. Maybe the owners there perceived you as snotnoses just there to use the bathroom. Deal with it like an adult instead of sounding like a whiney crybaby. While I've had a few bum steers there (why it only got a 3 star from me), they do some things very well. The pork juicy bun is superb. I've always found the people there, who appear to be largely family members, to be friendly and helpful. Most others that have gone there have liked it, which diminishes Vicky's credibility. Maybe the problem is just Vicky.
(3)
Vivian L.
Always pass by this place because of the down store front. But one day decided to try this place after reading the reviews from yelp. The Xiao Long Bao is a must try, juicy and super hot. The service is always fast. Downside: ask for the sweet sticky rice and sweet glutinous rice dumpling in sweet rice wine , the server said both take too long to make, seweed salad: sold out. Come back another day, and server says the same thing again. If they can't make those dishes please don't list on the menu. Overall, ordering their dumplings and other prepared fast cooked food gives you less trouble to deal with the servers.
(4)
Alan L.
Don't judge the place by what it looks like, the food here is very tasty! Also it's a sit down restaurant i.e. you don't pick your dishes off of carts. The xiao long bao are delicious and very soupy!
(5)
April D.
I think that this place is a little overhyped. But there doesn't seem to be many dim sum places in Philadelphia, so I will give them credit for that. This place does have pretty good soup dumplings. But the har gow and the siu mai were not to my liking. The shrimps in the har gow were tiny, not plump and juicy, like I'm use to. It was like there was one or two tiny shrimps in a har gow wrapper that fell apart so fast because it wasn't crafted very well. I'm not use to having so much rice in a siu mai, so much that I hardly noticed the meat. To me siu mai has always been very juicy and meaty. And both items were just a little overpriced. But I'm from San Francisco, and dim sum is super cheap since there are so many dim sum spots in competition with each other. Despite all that I really like the sauces. They saved the day. The ginger sauce and the dumpling sauce are my favorite. They really fix up the taste of the har gow and the siu mai, or probably any other dumpling you aren't fond of. If I was ever in Philly again, I would mostly likely go there to buy any dim sum even if it was average tasting, and I would douse it in one of the sauces.
(3)
Roy C.
Great Dim Sum. Soup Buns are a must have, hot and tasty! Service was good, eager to please. Ignore the cafe style interior and just enjoy fine dim sum.
(4)
Tu-van L.
Solid option for xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Located at the underpass not far away from Reading Terminal Market, this small restaurant looks more like your take-out Chinese place. Nevertheless the menu has what you need. They told us they had three types of soup dumplings but the pan-fried one didn't taste like what you expect it to be like (the others were delicious though). Great option for comfort Chinese on a cold day.
(4)
Travis L.
A little surprise near the Chinatown area. Hole in the wall place (under a tunnel of all places!) managed often by a single server (yeah, service can be a little... curt and inconsistent) Really quality soup dumplings and fried dumplings for a great price. For canto folks like myself, it's definitely shanghai-style dim sum (the siu mai is stuffed with glutinous rice as I discovered). Really like their noodle dishes, as well, especially the pork with sauce one. They definitely have the hand-drawn, homemade texture to them and for that price, I am absolutely not complaining.
(4)
Peter G.
Great, tasty, inexpensive, and authentic dim sum. The interior is nothing special at all, but maybe that's become part of its appeal. It isn't trying to focus on fancy service, just delicious dishes (and, admittedly, quick service).
(4)
Shivon R.
Came here with a friend who had just moved into the Chinatown area. We were craving some Dim Sum, and this place seemed to have garnered a lot of attention. I had been warned by other reviewers that the place was located in a somewhat sketchy spot, and boy were they right. I felt I was entering a troll's lair as I came up to the restaurant. Fortunately, the food more than makes up for the lack of decor. My friend and I split an order of the famous xian long bao (soup dumplings), fried vegetable dumplings, and scallion pancakes. It was my first time trying soup dumplings, and, I won't lie, it was kind of a hot mess. I tried daintily poking at the top with chopsticks and sucking out the soup, but that was just not doing it for me. Next I tried placing the dumpling on the spoon, taking a big chomp out of it, and then sipping the soup dribble out of the spoon. Either way, I still ended up squirting soup everywhere. It was definitely worth the trouble though. So tasty! The vegetable dumplings were so-so, nothing to write home about. The scallion pancakes were nicely flavored, but a little bit on the oily side for me. I also ended up ordering a glass of their homemade iced tea (I could actually see them making it in the kitchen), and I will say that was probably the best iced tea I've ever had. Super refreshing without being too sweet.
(4)
Tanon T.
The soup dumplings are pretty and fair for the price. It's really busy here so you should get here quick.
(4)
Sonal T.
Excellent food quality. I just feel they should work on the ambiance.
(3)
Stefanie A.
I crave Dim Sum Garden soup dumplings weekly. And I eat them weekly. I've had a few other things (bok choy, spicy noodles with pork, weird mushroom shumai) but I always come here for dumplings and am never disappointed with them. It's a dive under the convention center, so the location and ambiance is severely lacking, but who cares when you can get tender, juicy, pork dumplings filled with perfectly-seasoned soup for $6? It's a fun place to go with friends, bring some wine, and chow for cheap. or take 'em home--they heat up great. My bf's a fan of the pork and crabmeat ones, so get one or get them both. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Tanti L.
Service is not great, but what do you expect? its chinatown, under the scary tunnel looking place, and its damn cheap. Their xiao long bao overrides every negative things about this place. you come there to eat and bail. u'll then find ur zen.
(5)
Matt J.
We wanted to eat in Chinatown for lunch and this place had some good reviews and we always love good Dim Sum. And we were happy overall with this choice. It is a small (somewhat run down) place. But the server was happy to help and give us some recommendations and explain a few things where we needed some help. The soup dumplings were very good and well liked around the table. Can't remember what all we got but was a table full and all were pretty good.
(3)
Kit K.
The best juicy dumplings in the city!!! Should to try cold marinated cucumbers. I couldn't say the cafe's exterior and interior absorb all your attention, but that worth to try everything here. :)
(5)
Tim P.
I had some time to kill today once I got off work. So I headed into Chinatown to checkout Dim Sum Garden, since its been one of my bookmarks for awhile. I ordered the pork buns and spring rolls for lunch. Even though I thought that all of the hype surrounding these pork buns would amount to nothing more than a novelty, these buns turned out to be well worth the ride to get them. Thankfully I read enough reviews to know how to not burn my mouth with the broth inside. I could have eaten much more, but what I had satisfied my appetite for the afternoon. I'll have to plot my next lunch here soon. Not many seats available inside at noon. But I'd just as happy taking the order to go.
(4)
Chelsea B.
Get the soup dumplings and the scallion pancakes. You will seriously not regret it! I've never had soup dumplings before and WOW were they delicious. The pork and soup filling is only made better by the different sauces that send them over the top. This place doesn't scream classy when you're walking up to it, but the service was friendly and helpful when we didn't know what to order. The two of us split pork soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, and a type of chicken potstickers all for under $15 (and they did prefer we used cash with a bill that small, so be prepared) and it was enough food that we could barely finish it all. I felt a little self conscious going in and not knowing what to expect, but there are all types of people in there (tourists too) so you don't have to worry about looking out of place. I live in the Midwest, and I dream about these dumplings.
(5)
Dharam P.
Skip the fried rice or "traditional Chinese" food. Get the chive soup and dumplings.
(4)
Vince S.
Despite being in the diviest of dive locations, the food is tasty and priced fairly. Also, try not to pay attention to the name. I'm not even sure if they have actual dim sum dishes on their menu (haha), In fact, I think they might be more known for their dumplings. I'm no connoseiur of the soup dumplings, but I could not tell the difference between this place and Din Tai Fung (the one in LA). Decent condiments to accompany dumplings also. Plenty of choices ranging from American Chinese to more authentic dishes. Service is ok, but one of the servers is a little on the grumpy/surly side.
(4)
Mina L.
It was the first time my boyfriend and I had stopped by here after being recommended here by a friend to try the juicy buns. The place has terrible decor, wobbly chairs, dirty chopsticks, and okay service. As soon as I walked in, the two hispanic cooks stared directly at me and smiled/laughed... which is kind of creepy especially for my first time here. After being sat down, we eventually chose our dishes to try: the Shanghai juicy buns, pork fried rice, and the fried chives/pork dumplings. Out of all of these, the best dish was the juicy buns. It was the best part of the visit and possibly one of the only high points. The fried dumplings could have been more crunchy and less soggy. It was only fried on one side. The WORST dish was the pork fried rice. The serving size was small, tasted too salty, had very little pork (mostly little balls of overcooked meat), and the rice was hard.. o__o Overall, 3 stars for the juicy buns and fried dumplings and -2 stars for decor, fried rice, and service. We would like to try them again for their noodles and more juicy buns!!
(3)
Donald J.
What happened to the Dim Sum Gardn I usd to know? Ate here about a year ago. The soup noodle was exquisite. But not this time. Had the Prok and Crab and an order of the scallion pancake. Totally disappointed! The soup was bland nd the pancake a messy grease affair. Are there better days to eat here than others? This is a Sunday.
(2)
Aggie V.
I went into this little gem for dinner today, and boy, oh boy!!! I'm sold! I got chicken and broccoli, which is absolutely THE best I've ever tasted. Next time, I'll have to try the dumplings!!!
(4)
Jeanny C.
This is my second time coming here. First time was really late at night, so I felt the food was left over from the morning. This time, I came on a lunch hour during the weekdays. The food was much better, but still didn't meet up to my standards. My friend and I ordered 2 hot and sour soup, turnip cake, pan fried chicken dumplings, and crab meat & pork xiao long bao. The turnip cake was not the usual traditional one, so I didn't like it as much. Not because I wanted the traditional ones, but simply because it wasn't better. The hot and sour soup is pretty good, they add tomatoes compared to traditional ones, which I actually like better. The xiao long bao was definitely below standard (compared to Shanghai Cafe or Joe's Shanghai in NYC). I liked the chicken dumplings, it was good. The meal came out to be around $28 plus tip, I think that's pretty ok. Not sure if I want to return, I don't hate it, but I also don't love it either. So very mixed feeling.
(3)
Vernon D.
Want dumplings, They got a smorgasbord of dumplings. All of which that i have tried are delicious. What is even better is getting to admire the craftsmanship of the art of dumpling making when the staff are seated in the dining area creating the little morsels of delight. Overall this is a great spot for fast food dim sum, and well i have to say i delight in the duck gizzard and duck tongue in salt sauce. Not my spot for Noodle soup, but its fair in taste and quality. great for a pit stop after shopping at the Terminal.
(4)
Michael P.
You know that scene at the beginning of Blade Runner where Gaff catches up with Deckard at the chinese noodle stand? The first time I ever went to Dim Sum Garden, that popped right into my mind. Visiting here is the epitome of finding a diamond in the rough. Its a former donut shop tucked under the Hilton parking garage, with the chinatown buses lined up outside. The giant plate glass windows are lined with neon, and a when you peek inside it looks like a typical chinese takeout place. Once you enter, you'll find an amazing little restaurant with fantastic food. The shanghai buns (Xiao long bao) are a welcome departure from normal dumplings. Once you master the art of eating them, they become a welcome treat. The Siu mai are delicious, and the scallion pancake is nice, crisp, and flaky. The brisket noodles are terrific, but I much prefer the stewed eel noodles, as sushi has made me love eel. Service is pretty good, sometimes it can feel like they've forgotten you a little bit, but generally they'll keep things moving and top off your water when you need it. Sometimes there can be a language barrier, depending on your server. Overall, its a place that is worth a visit, to try something different than the chinese you're used to.
(5)
K. A. N. A. K.
I mis-remembered the name of this restaurant, even though I've eaten here at least 50 times. I posted my original review and an update (since I've been here 50 times). 4 stars for brisket noodle soup and Shanghai shumai--it's made especially for lazies like myself, since the soup and dipping sauce did not require any seasoning adjustment and the brisket was fairly meaty (and not bony or gristly). I don't know if Shanghai shumai is actually a regional dimsum, but it has sticky rice with bits of mushroom and pork I've always previously encountered in a banana leaf, only in this case it comes in a dumpling wrapper. 5 stars for the pork juicy buns and scallion pancakes. (Don't call your juicy buns order "soup buns," unless you like hot salty liquids squirted in your mouth AS A FOOD. I'm not going to judge your other activities.) I love the chewy pan-fry at the bottom of each soft bun. The dipping sauce is perfect, as ever. I think the primary waitress is charming (she very tactfully chided my boyfriend that he and his coworker hadn't eaten lunch there in a while, even though the food is consistently good).
(4)
Heather B.
To be honest, I'm (more than) a little baffled by the ratings for this place. Normally Yelp doesn't steer me wrong, but this time, I was sorely disappointed. My mother was in town for the Flower Show, and because she lives in an area where she can't get dim sum, we decided to come here. Maybe I've been spoiled by so many of the great restaurants in Chinatowns around the country, and perhaps I should admit that I can't stand Americanized Chinese food, but our meal here was pretty terrible. Everything we had - some sort of dumpling, scallion pancakes, and sauteed bok choy - was tremendously greasy. The bok choy came out drenched in a puddle of oil. I ended up with grease stains on my hoodie from whatever it was that came out of the dumpling. We had wanted shrimp dumplings, but they were out of them. My father is on a severely restricted diet, and this was my mother's chance to eat a good meal of food she can't have on his diet, and I feel guilty that, out of all of the fantastic places in Philly and in Philly's Chinatown, this was what she got. Womp womp.
(2)
Nicole W.
For what it is, it's awesome! My husband and I are from out of town and love dim sum. We can't get it back home (in the sticks) so we always look for an authentic place when we travel. No need for fancy tables or ambience; we're all about the food. Bring on the dives and spare me the formalities! We spent $20 (not including tip), and were stuffed! Yes, $20 fed us both for dinner! It was so good but we were amazed we finished it all. They bring you ice water right away. The plastic tables and chairs were clean and comfortable. The AC was much appreciated during one of the four heat waves so far in Philly this year. The service was attentive but we're also not shy to ask for another fork or more water, for example. Our waiter made great recommendations too. Everyone was very pleasant. Shrimp dumplings- hubby ate those and liked them but didn't rave. Juicy pork buns- dumplings with pork and soup inside- their specialty and a must try! Pork noodles with sauce- fantastic and somehow tasted better with every bite. Chive pancake- wicked good too! A nice alternative texture to the rest of our meal. Not too greasy, great flavor. Another reviewer mentioned a situation where part of their group was served and eating before the others' food arrived or even ordered. I may have witnessed a similar situation at an adjacent table. Three of the four men were eating and seemed to be finishing up when the fourth man's food arrived. However, I was not a party to this group so I don't know the entire situation. Our experience was very enjoyable and we may even go back again for lunch before we leave despite all the wonderful dining options this city has to offer. They do accept credit cards but prefer cash.
(5)
J L.
I've been here dozens of times. It's one of those hole in the wall places. I was very weary of eating here the first time, but so glad I did! Because it's awesome. Best soup dumplings you can get in Philly. The staff are always great and it's inexpensive too!
(5)
Christine L.
After seeing a solid four stars for this place and having never tried it even though I'm always in Chinatown, we decided to give it a go. After giving it a try, I guess I realize once again why I've never bothered to come here. The place is right under the passageway going into Chinatown from 11th street, which is not in the usual vicinity of where we normally go for Chinatown. It is a bit dingy if I do say so myself, but I can also see how it may be "traditional" in terms of having an atmosphere similar to a small cafe/restaurant in China. We ordered the pork XLB, pan-fried pork dumplings, and a plate of pickled cabbage and pork noodles. The soup in the XLB wasn't bad. What needed improvement on was probably the quality of the skin, which was a bit sticky and doughy, and not as thin as it could be. We also wished that they would've given us small sauce dishes and ginger for dipping, because the bottles kept squirting in all the wrong directions (that's what she said). But for what the place is, I guess we couldn't ask for more. The pan-fried dumplings were your average, pan-fried dumplings, good but nothing special. The noodle plate was our least favorite. It was too salty for our liking, but tasted a lot better when we re-heated it the second time around at home. I wouldn't order that again though, if I ever do return here.
(2)
Lily T.
Their soup dumplings and scallion pancake aren't extraordinary. You can probably find better/comparable in NYC, but seeing as it's the only place I've found in Philadelphia that serves them, that in itself deserves five stars. Important tips to remember when you eat soup dumplings: 1. Wait a few mins for them to cool unless you want to burn your tongue; 2. Put the whole thing in your mouth so it won't squirt all over the place (that's what he said?) You will, of course, be avoiding all the mistakes that I made on my first trip there. Dim Sum Garden's potential to flourish as a restaurant is stifled by its unfortunate location. Within the hour that we were there for lunch, there are three unpleasant encounters. First, a homeless man came in to solicit change from each table. Next, another person (who presumably just got off a bus), against the will of the staff, entered to borrow their restroom without making a purchase, which caused a semi-obnoxious commotion. Then, a woman asked to sit at one of their tables to eat the food she bought from outside. I can't help but think that people just bully Dim Sum Garden because they know they can get away with it. Since Reading Terminal is around the corner, people could easily go there for all three aforementioned tasks (panhandling, use of restroom, a free place to sit), but they didn't. For their own sake, I hope Dim Sum Garden either relocates or hires a security officer.
(3)
Lily Z.
My 3rd time here and this place is always packed. Negatives: Cheap decor along with cheap tables and chairs. They have 1 server and no busser. My table wasn't properly cleaned this time. On top of that, I'm sharing my table with a party of 2. Theres not enough room on this table for all our food. If theres lots of people waiting, expect to wait outside. Positives: The food is good but I haven't ordered anything outside of the shanghai buns and siu mai. One of the best places for shanghai buns in Chinatown. Overall: -1 star for your cheap decor. -1 star for your service (hire another server or a busser, you have enough business to support him/her) -1 star for forcing me to share a table. Your food is good but to run a great restaurant, you need more than that. Also, they only accept CC for $20+
(2)
Carlo D.
I didn't like the food at all and felt sick afterwards and I love all Asian food so for me to give a single star it's true
(1)
Dave M.
With a large group of about 25 I tried everything. Just about everything they sent out was damned amazing. Extremely fresh. The waitresses were attentive to tea and keeping the meals coming. For about $16 a person we had what I would call an endless buffet of different things which is a great value. Try this place out for sure!
(5)
Adrienne C.
Good, solid Shanghai-nese food. I've been looking for somewhere like this ever since we moved to Philly - very happy. The goods: XLB (they are HUGE and super filled with fatty soupy goodness), pork and chive steamed dumplings (they taste "almost" as good as my mother-in-law's...so homey), shen jian bao (more flavorful than most that I've had) The oks: jia jia mien (noodles were good but sauce was kinda meh) and the onion pancake...it's uber thin/crispy, while we prefer ours more thick and flaky. Yeah, it looks like crap on the outside and it's in an underpass...but honestly, to me that is a sign of a good Asian restaurant. It's super cheap - for 6 dishes split between 4 people, the bill came out to $33.
(4)
Steph V.
I skipped out on the Philly cheesesteak experience and settled to satisfy my dim sum craving. Thanks to the handy Yelp app (get it if you don't already do!) I found this grimy gem under a smelly overpass/bridge thing gasping for a sliver of light but offering food stuffs to feed a hungry army. After much consideration, I ordered the soup wonton thingys that everyone had recommended. Funny thing was that our server wasn't able to explain much of the menu. I'm more used to an a la carte kind of dim sum that ordering felt foreign. I don't recommend the fried chicken. Although it was crispy on the outside, the inside was dusty -- as in void of all flavor -- like menopause. And this is just an FYI for all you people who come to Philly for the first time and decide to venture to high rated Yelp restaurants in the boondocks. DO NOT GO ALONE. While we were eating, a cracked out teenager walked in the doorway and was staring at me while swaying back and forth. It was scary! Then, a couple minutes later, he came in and sat at the table behind me and watched us eat. Ugh...I was so uncomfortable. This may not always happen here, but I just had to share that. Overall, I liked the food and brought the food back to the hotel. Nothing to brag about though.
(3)
Jack B.
Best deal in the city for a cheap, quick go-to lunch or dinner. The first time I tried this place for lunch I came back later that day for dinner. The steamed pork juicy buns are phenomenal.
(5)
Michael P.
Very weak, If your an actual Dim Sum fan, I would definitley not reccomend this place. Its small, the selection of food is not that good & the food itself was pretty low quality. The Shumai was terrible, and the service was not good. Looking for quality dim sim? go somehwere else.
(1)
Dalisai N.
Plenty of selection for soups and other fare. The juicy buns are pretty good but I found I did not love them as much as other yelpers - probably because I prefer a lighter broth. Service was good to - this is the kind of place where you will be seated, served water and asked for your order within moments of walking through the door. Good place for a quick lunch if you're in the area and don't need a lot of ambiance/scenic location.
(3)
Marina C.
Read the great reviews and I haven't had Xiao long bao in so long, I had to go before I left Philly. My last meal before my train back to NY and yeah I chose this weird looking place... My friend was all grumpy that day and didn't feel like eating anything at the Reading Terminal Market. Him not eating, there's definitely something wrong. Soup fixes everything! We ordered the juicy pork buns, scallion pancake, fried dumplings, and a beef brisket noodle soup. Their mango smoothie was really too sweet for me, but the hot tea was nice. It was so cold outside! I never dress for the weather.. Anyway... Pork dumplings were pretty good. They were really flavorful. Joe's Shanghai's dumplings aren't really better. I think I prefer these since I waited for the dumplings to cool a bit before burning myself and there was still plenty of yummy soup inside. And yes... fat gives it flavor. I've never ordered scallion pancakes at a chinese restaurant before. Crispy and light. Good, but nothing special. The beef brisket noodle soup was huge. It's easily for 2 people. The noodles tasted really light and fresh. The beef was flavorful. Probably the best beef brisket noodle soup I've had, not that I order it too much. We managed to eat practically everything for only $25. That's insane. We were so full, I felt like we needed to walk it off, all the way to 30th St.. Now that was really crazy. lol
(4)
Jess K.
Yum yum yummmm. A Chinese coworker brought us all here on our last day in Philly for work. She ordered the food in Chinese so it was a big surprise when it all started arriving. My favorite thing was the scallion pancakes but I also really liked the pork break type rolls she ordered. I didn't LOVE the mushy dumpling type things with seafood in them. The noodles with seafood were delicious. The food was really greasy and I felt vaguely ill after lunch but it was worth it. We all ate as much as we could fit into our stomachs for $10 each including tip. Can't beat that!
(4)
Ilana R.
LOVE this place . Delicious food, extremely friendly and helpful service by all staff, always asking if you would like to try new things and recommend - and its' always wonderful! Their soup dumplings, bok choy, scallion pancakes, soups, all are delicious, cheap and fast! Nothing better for a cold day
(5)
michael G.
Hi i'm emmett i'm 9.The dumplings rule! They have really good scallion pancakes. my brother liked it a lot and he's only 5! The best is the dumplings but they also have "chicken on stick" i really don't no why its called that. I'm ethan and i'm 5 and i like all the food except the scallion pancake.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
We ended up here because the Hilton Inn was right across the street. My bf ordered Shu Mai but it wasn't what he expected. I think he said it was Cantonese style not Mandarin or vice versa. I wish we tried other things but I was pretty full and he just wanted something small. There aren't really enough tables in this tiny place. Overall, it was ok clean
(3)
Catherine K.
Ever since Ian and I tried soup dumplings for the first time in Singapore, we've seeked these delicious things everywhere we go. We found a fantastic place in San Fran and it is our mission to find a place in Philly. I had heard that Dim Sum garden was the place to go for xiao long bao and for the most part I was satisfied. I'm not sure if they make the wrapping homemade but it was a little thicker than the traditional ones that I've had. Despite the thicker wrapping, I enjoyed the flavors of the dumpling and will definitely visit the place again. The staff was incredibly nice, helpful, and quick to serve us our food. I will continue to search for yummy xiao long bao, but this place will satisfy me for now.
(4)
Lisa R.
This is what the DC to Philly Chinatown busses are made for. I will specifically go out of my way to make a day trip to eat here. the Soup Dumplings are THAT good. absolutely out of this world.
(5)
Jason L.
Their pork juicy buns are soooo good. Irresistible status. I always make sure I grab some whenever I'm in Chinatown. They're even open late!! Also, I don't like the pork/shrimp ones as much as the pork ones. And none of them taste as good cold as they do warm/hot.
(5)
A H.
The single best dish here is #2a. Shanghai Pan Fried Pork Juice Buns 6 pcs. (sheng jian bao). Just doughy enough, crispy charred bottom, porky filling. Possibly the best sheng jian bao I've ever had. I now order this on every trip here. I don't know why people don't rave about this dish more!!! But one order of sheng jian bao is not enough food, so I usually also order something else for a typical lunch. My second favorite dish here is the pork and crab soup dumplings (xiao long bao) everyone else is always raving about (#2. Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns 8 pcs). I think the one with crab is better than the pork-only one. I've also tried the steamed chives & pork dumplings (#6) once. The wrappers came out mushy and overcooked. The filling was fine, but they weren't amazing. I might try the dumplings again, probably pan fried next time. They do take credit cards, but there's a $20 minimum.
(5)
Alexandra W.
The last time I had soup dumplings, I was probably about 8. But, I remember them being amazing. Maybe it was because I had them at Joe's Shanghai in NYC, but still, amazing. I got the pork and crabmeat soup dumplings for lunch today from Dim Sum Garden after hearing great things. I was sorely, sorely disappointed. The only crabmeat I spotted was a tiny bit on the top of the dumpling. I don't know if this is standard in soup dumplings, but it wasn't really...soup. The soup was more like the fat that rises to the top of soup. It was pretty viscous, and kind of gross. If this is how soup dumplings usually are, then we can just write this off as me not liking them. The steamed shrimp dumplings were okay. They were kind of mushy. I'll just stick with Ocean Harbor. Sorry.
(1)
Jes S.
Things I Liked: - As close to Shanghai soup buns in Philadelphia as I've ever seen. Really really really really tasty. - Shanghai wontons are great! - The service is fantastic. The people are super sweet and attentive and just wonderful. ---- Things I Didn't Like So Much: - Not everything was so tasty. Sadly. And why it's no perfect five stars. The ... I don't know the English name, tofu and greens? A little too greasy, and the tofu wasn't as fresh. And the fried buns weren't all meat insides, but meat and lettuce, less authentic and less tasty.
(4)
John C.
I had their xiao long bao(pork only) and scallion pancakes. I loved their scallion pancakes, very nice i must say. Their xiao long bao didn't come out that great though. For a few of them, the dough was undercooked and the dumplings themselves weren't that hot (which may explain the undercooked dough). If they did it right, I would have given it a 4. I actually prefer the dumplings from Sakura Mandarin, which is a few blocks down. The dumplings @ Sakura costs a little more than here, but the taste makes up for it.
(3)
Mo P.
5 stars for hole in the wall Shanghai style soup dumplings The steamed soup dumplings are heaven in a steamed basket! The service was quite friendly. The siu mai was fresh and had great flavor and textures. The chive and pork dumplings were right on the money and pan fried to perfection. They also had a new menu item of pan fried soup dumpling with black sesame seeds on top. This was a party in your mouth. There are 3 sauces at the table which mixed together are sublime on all the dumplings. The vinegar is perfect on the soup dumplings. If you've never had soup dumplings remember to eat them while they're hot and put it on the soup spoon and add your favorite sauce on top. Eat it one bite and make sure you don't burn yourself. As for the roast duck over rice.... reminded me of eating in Hong Kong at night time with some greens on the side a little roast duck nicely seasoned with 5 spice powder on the bottom which gets into the white rice that the duck sits on. This place lacks atmosphere and may be considered a hole in the wall by some. I call it a hidden gem and can't wait to go back. The prices at this restaurant are very reasonable and it's BYOB.
(5)
Jason T.
Mentally, my image of dim sum is a big dining hall with servers pushing around carts of small dishes from which you can choose whichever plates of food look appetizing. So entering Dim Sum Garden, I was almost unsure whether I had walked into the right restaurant. I took a seat with my friends, and we ordered an array of dishes, they being more knowledgeable about the nuances of dim sum, I simply sat back and waited for the dim sum nom noms to arrive :) The food took a few minutes to come out, so I could tell that it was freshly prepared. And I would be reminded that it came straight out of the steamer: I put an entire soup dumpling in my mouth and with the first bite immediately scalded my entire mouth! There was no cold water to temper the boiling liquid in my mouth, only hot tea. So after that experience, my taste buds were toast and I couldn't taste anything else in the meal. We asked for cold water, but the server didn't give us any. I did feel woozy afterwards, so I'm pretty sure I did ingest some MSG. The shu mai is a different style than what you may be used to - it's Shanghai shu mai, so it's filled with rice and larger than the small but juicy pork dumplings you may be used to.
(2)
John R.
Dim Sum Garden is a good place everyone should try once. The place is called Dim Sum Garden so one may think you should come here and eat dim dum, but the place doesn't serve dim sum. Don't worry though there is something much better on the menu. At Dim Sum Garden, they serve Shanghainese soup dumpings, called xiao long bao. Its the first and second item on the menu. If you don't know what Shanghainese dumplings are, let me explain to you. These aren't your regular dumplings. Each dumping is a little pouch filled with meat but also this rich gelatinous soup. When the dumplings are made, an icecube of stock is also wrapped in there with the meat forming a soup dumpling when it is later steamed. When you eat these dumplings don't just pop them in your mouth. They are piping hot! And don't bite into it spilling the juices all over your shirt and plate. If you do, you just wasted the best part. Instead grab one out, put it on the spoon, bite off a little piece of the skin and slurp the soup out of the dumpling. A little vinegar soy sauce may be added to the dumpling too. Then consume the whole dumpling. Repeat 7 more times, since each basket comes with 8 dumplings. Go to Dim Sum Garden and order the Shanghainese dumplings. There are other items on the menu but I don't think I will ever get around to eating them, except for the scallion pancakes. To my knowledge this is the only place in philly you can get Shanghainese dumplings. If you are familiar with Joe's Shanghai in NYC, this philly equivalent is just as good. I think they're damn good eats and at 5 bucks a basket you can get a great snack anytime of the day.
(4)
Jessica R.
My trip to Dim Sum Garden solved a big mystery in my life - soup dumplings! I've heard about them everywhere, but had no idea what they were - turns out I had been eating all them all my life, but know them by their Chinese name - xiao long bao. Just as other yelpers have said, the xiao long bao here are top notch. They're all handmade, and each dumpling is perfectly wrapped. My favorite were the pork and chive, but all of the 3 varieties we had were delicious. We also got scallion pancakes (fine, but not notable), an egg & tomato rice dish (a little too sweet) and a cold noodle dish (basic, but tasty). I would definitely recommend going during the daytime, as the location (under a bridge/in a tunnel type area) is definitely sketchy. Numerous buses also pick up right outside the restaurant so the sidewalk tends to be crowded with people and luggage. It's a random mix of patrons - some people who have definitely sought it out, and others who have wandered in because it's close to the bus stop. In summary, definitely worth the trip, but go with friends, not with a date. It's also super inexpensive - we ordered 6 dishes and paid $11 each! I love that they serve a lot of dim sum type dishes (hence the name, I'm guessing), but in bigger portions and with cheaper prices. The service was also great. =)
(4)
Janabelle R.
Great soup dumplings and steamed dumplings. Small place and can get busy sometimes. Pretty good bubble tea as well.
(5)
Brittini S.
I love this place! It's the best dim sum in the city and the price is dirt cheap. The pork buns are a must and so is the seafood pancake. You shouldn't go there for the atmosphere but the food is authentic and always packed with Chinese locals... a good sign for sure! If you have a dim sum craving, this is the place!
(5)
Viraj P.
Fine, but my mind was not blown. The chicken feet came out dry and unseasoned, the "chicken on a stick" appetizer was served without any accompaniment, and the tofu soup was super greasy. The shrimp and chicken dumplings were standard. Some of the dishes were hot while others were served tepid at best. I was really sad I couldn't eat the soup dumplings so many have raved about because they have pork in them :( The best thing about this place was the sauces in the middle of the table- the ginger vinegar and the dumpling sauce were deeeelicious! Now if only I didn't need them to make my food wonderful :/
(3)
Paul C.
I really wish I could give 3.5 here, because that's what the rating really should be. If you come here, JUST get the dumplings; any variation of the dumpling ranges from good to amazing. The shanghai soup dumpling is the star here.....a good complement would be a dumpling that's pan fried. Don't get the other dishes really; they range from crappy to average at best. I've tried about 10 different dishes on the menu, and I've given up on finding something that's above average. As for the place, it's your basic hole in the wall in china town. The ladies that run the place are extremely nice and attentive to your needs.
(4)
Jonathan D.
Great dumplings with a good selection. The Shanghai style dumplings (soup inside) reminded me of one of my favorite dumpling shops in Tokyo (Din Tai Fung is a chain throughout Asia). The venue was much more casual and the dumplings a bit less greasy. They assumed I had never had that style of dumpling. But, I really liked that the staff was friendly and helped explain which sauce to use and how to eat the dumplings.
(4)
Kristin W.
What this place lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in good food and reasonable prices. We started with the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), which had good soup and flavorful filling. We also got the General Tso's Chicken which was tender and did not have too-thick breading although it could have used more broccoli in the dish. And to get a few tasty nutrients in there we also ordered some Chinese Broccoli. All around an enjoyable meal!
(4)
Jia Z.
They moved to 1020 race Street!
(1)
Donovan S.
This place is a dump like no other. But holy shit. Soup dumplings. Made proper. I have been coming here for a year now, and their soup dumplings have never disappointed. Not once. I recently tried their vegetable dumplings and was surprised that any other dumpling could compete on the same level. But they do! Also, their noodle dishes are awesome, but I try to avoid ordering the ones with meat as they tend to give you fattier cuts that I'm just not that into. Definitely one of the best ways to spend six dollars.
(5)
Jorge C.
Worst Chinese food ever had!! .. I'm not a dumpling person so I ordered regular food not feeling like walking around away from my hotel..
(1)
Robert W.
delicious noodle soup and soup dumplings. Fast service, great prices, awesome food... worth the drive from Baltimore.
(5)
Vickie H.
Their soup dumplings (xiao long bao) is amazing and a great deal! This is the best soup dumplings I have had. There is much more flavor in the broth and stuffing than Joe's Shanghai! We ordered the pork dumpling and the pork and crab dumpling.. both were wonderful! We also ordered the pork and chives pan-fried dumplings and scallion pancakes.. great! Amazing flavors! The scallion pancakes are soo addicting because its so crispy and thin. Four delicious dishes for $18.45... What a deal! I'm definitely coming back here again!
(5)
Christina S.
I've been to this place a bunch of times and have always had great food. My favorite dish is the Fried bean curd noodle with soup. The portion is huge-one I could never finish, but I enjoy the first bite as much as I do the last, and that's saying something. The spring rolls are good as well. The scallion pancakes are good like some of the reviews say, but once was enough for me as far as those go. I've read a bunch of reviews on this place and I just have a few things to say about the comments in those reviews. If you're looking to get your a$$ kissed or an overly friendly server who is going to coddle you through your whole meal-don't go here. This isn't the place for you. If you're looking for a trendy spot with Ikea furniture throughout, stay away. These people serve delicious hot food quickly and for a fair price. As far as I'm concerned, that's good enough for me. The great thing about Philadelphia is that there's 950902920 other restaurants for you to choose from if you're looking for those kinds of things. With the limited seating at Dim Sum Garden, people who actually enjoy this restaurant would rather you go to those anyway.
(4)
Vinh T.
Don't let the shitty location and a cheap-looking restaurant fool you. Dimsum in this place rocks. Yes, it locates right next to the China Town bus station so please except people in front of the place and stare at you when you are trying to swallow their dumplings. Yes, it looks very cheap. Seem like they don't pay that much attention to the decor. Yes, they serves Shanghai style dimsum which means that there are lots of different kind of dumplings and shumai and the choices of dimsum are very limited. You won't find chicken feet or other food here.
(4)
Jimmy J.
Soooo good! Great BYOB and a great value for what you get. Soup dumplings are a must. Bok choy is delish. Mopo over rice and minded pork noodles are another go to. Super fast service, everyone is very friendly and happy to reach you how to eat the soup dumplings. The decor is a big step up. The high ceilings are great but it echos. So it does tend to get loud with few people.
(5)
Justin Z.
As a Shanghainese and a die hard juicy dumpling (xiao long bao) fan, this restaurant gets my stamp of approval. While in Philly, with all these celebrity chef restaurant choices, I managed to visit this place twice during my stay. We have tried many things on the menu; including the fried pork bun, wonton soup, onion pancake, spring rolls and turnip cake, etc. Everything tasted pretty authentic. However the juicy dumpling definitely stands out. These are probably the best dumplings I have had in the US.
(5)
Jenn P.
I ordered the pork-scallion potsticker soup and a side of scallion pancakes. Not the finest dining but, good solid food. The people working were friendly and you can't beat the price - under eight dollars. I would definitely have creamed my jeans as a traveler had I found this just stepping off the chinatown buses (as it is right next to the terminal).
(3)
Amy H.
The name of this business is very misleading. Don't walk in expecting anything like traditional dim sum. Service is slow and lacking. Your orders will come out one at a time and often with a significant delay. Order the xiao long bao and pass on everything else.
(2)
Lisa R.
The soup dumplings are great here. I was taken back by the restaurant setting as I was expecting carts, but the place is small and perfect for casual dining. The sui mai was my least favorite option on the table. The siu mai was not the usual filling. The filling was a mixture of rice and meat. I'm more customed to pork and shrimp mixture, but it was cool to try something new. We also ordered the shrimp dumpling (aka har gow), which was tasty but on the smaller size. As for the service, it was a bit slow for the Monday morning we were there.
(3)
G F.
Dim Sum Garden is a hidden gem -- a diamond in the rough. This food is so delicious, good, amazing, delectable, scrumptious, stupendous, and cheap. I can't believe it took me this long to review it. Everybody I've brought here just loves the food. I was first tipped off early of '09 about this restaurant when I asked a couple Chinese friends where to get good dumplings in Chinatown. A number of people told me to go here. So I did. And I've been back more times than I can remember since then. I've worked my way through most of the menu, excluding the rice dishes. Things have changed up a bit since Sally (worker/server with the bobbed haircut and always cool sneakers) and her mom took the helm. For instance, free ice water has been replaced by hot tea. Some breakfast-y items have been added to early morning, and new specials are now offered. However, my favorites remain the standard menu. The Siu Mai are so amazing. An order comes with four pieces, which includes sticky rice and mushroom/pork. The Cold Cucumber appetizer is also delicious and very light. The fried dumplings are a home run. Shanghai Steamed Buns are also a favorite of many. I can't tell you how many shirts have been splashed with these soup dumplings! And the handmade noodles. Yes! Get them without soup. Beef brisket type is great... as is the Pork and Pickled Cabbage. But they're all top-notch. The weakest is perhaps the Eel variety. Oh yeah, the surrounding area must be mentioned. It's the shits outside. You have the Chinatown bus next door, which brings in a lot of distasteful, aggressive people... not to mention sound pollution. There are the ever present vagrants to boot. And to top it off, this is all underneath the bleak concrete awning of this block. Your mother would probably be uncomfortable. But this has served well to keep this place a lesser known secret. The inside decor also doesn't speak to the greatness of the food. The neon lights that line the building-high windows add a nice cyberpunk touch. But don't let that dissuade you. Dim Sum Garden is the real deal.
(5)
Peter L.
By far one of the best chicken on a stick I have eaten in my life. Their shanghai dumplings are also amazing. Of course it is not as good as Joe's shanghai in NY, but if you do not want to take that 2 hour drive and stay in philly, this is def the place to be. On to of that, its CHEAP!! Good food reasonable price, can't beat that!!!
(4)
Kendra L.
Delicious! We had the Pork buns, pork and chive dumplings, and the scallion pancakes. Great, cheap lunch on a cold winters day. The waitstaff seems rushed, but no big deal, the food was served hot.
(4)
Andy N.
Pork, beef and shrimp dumplings all taste the same. They cut the fillings from a solid piece of three colored pre-prepared blob of processed meat. The soup in those juicy dumplings is rather salty. Can only eat four of those. Nothing special here. If anyone thinks this is awesome dim sum has not eaten in los Angeles or d.c.
(2)
Stephanie C.
Even though this place is a hole in the wall, it's the only place I've found in philly to service shanghai dumplings. Luckily, they are delicious! Don't come here if you want the traditional dim sum with carts because you won't get it. This place also serves other Shanghainese food, but for sure you have to try the dumplings. I'm not a fan of the dumplings with crab even though in China it's considered a delicacy. I like the original one. Get Mapo Tofu and Scallion pancake if you are still hungry. Those other two are very good as well! .
(4)
Jordan F.
When you first walk by it looks pretty sketchy. But don't let that discourage you. But the food is sooooooo worth it. I sure pigged out I had the scallion pancakes that were so good I kept wanting more. I also had the pork dumplings, the napa cabbage, and the chicken dumplings. They all were tasty fresh and favorly. And I could leave with out getting some noodles I had the spicy beef noodle soup. Tasty beef broth,fresh noodles, green equal heaven. Thank you dim sum garden even thought at first I thought I was in the bus station you are a gem and I hope to dine again soon.
(4)
Anne L.
Icky on the outside. Delicious on the inside. Soup dumplings mmmmmm
(5)
Michael L.
Delicious food at a reasonable price that came out very quickly. The restaurant is not much to look at but the dumplings make it worthwhile.
(5)
Lisa Y.
The best soup dumplings in Philly! The soup is plentiful and hot! I eat them with hot chili oil and ginger soy sauce. I only come here for the dumplings, the rest of the food is just eh.
(4)
Ramen F.
Ambiance: We all know that this is not the prettiest restaurant nor in the nicest location. Granted, you will have to push past the chinatown bus crowd to get into Dim Sum Garden, but you will be happy that you did! The furniture is recognizable as some of the cheapest options that you can find at Ikea, but it serves its purpose. The wall is full of framed pictures of some famous international sights, but there is no real theme. Past the curtains is the bathroom...and a hallway of storage. Service: The service is that of a traditional Asian restaurant where the server is brusque, but it is not meant as an insult. If there is an Asian in your dining group, the server will try to communicate with and through them as much as possible. It can be a bit isolating and annoying. But again, can you blame them? The food comes out quickly and the waitstaff is always so close by (small restaurant) that you can easily flag them over if you need anything. Food: This is the real reason that you come to this place - the food. If you have seen this place and already know the location and aesthetic, it is clear that the food must be good in order to always be so packed. The soup dumplings are the headliner here (with scallion pancake trailing closely behind) and rightfully so. To be honest, it is not worth it to me to pay extra for the seafood soup dumplings because their flavor is very nearly the same as the regular pork ones. Learning how to eat these things is key, otherwise you WILL burn yourself. Be warned that if the soup from the dumpling squirts out on your face, hand, etc - it will be burning hot and quite sticky. Put the soup dumpling into your Chinese spoon, bite off the top, let the dumpling cool,add chili sauce and dumpling sauce on top (this step is optional for you but imperative for me), eat the whole thing like the greedy troll that you are. Their version of dan dan noodles are tasty, but not spicy and cannot hold a candle to Han Dynasty. Their beef noodle soup is just okay. Stick with the headliners. Overall: Get over thinking that you are above this shady location and go to this restaurant, get the soup dumplings and scallion pancakes, thank me later.
(4)
Kristin H.
My first soup dumpling experience was not a disappointment, after I figured out the menu. Soup dumplings = buns, apparently. Anyway, dumplings were tasty and came out quick, and there were lots of them. A few too many. And they don't travel well. Next time, I'll split the order with a friend. The scallion pancake was delicious, and good for trying out the different sauces on the table. Quick, cheap, and tasty. I am satisfied.
(3)
Joy C.
Legit soup dumplings in the most random, sketchy location. Was pleasantly surprised. I would stay away from the scallion pancakes though. Tasted like the frozen kind you get in the Asian supermarket and barely had any scallions... I would go back and just eat an entire order of soup dumplings.
(4)
Dana B.
As mentioned in previous reviews, don't go to Dim Sum Garden expecting that fancy of an atmosphere, because it comes nowhere close to the appearance of your average Dim Sum restaurant, especially given its location (right next to the Chinatown bus stop). However, their menu has plenty of options to satisfy just about everyone, and not only that, the prices are extremely reasonable. $5.75 for 6 shrimp dumplings? Not bad!
(4)
Jeff H.
Read about this place in the news awhile back when they only had one gas burner or something like that. I finally got around to trying it with a friend two weeks ago and I was not disappointed. We split an order of the Shanghai dumplings with pork and the pork and scallion pot stickers. It was enough to fill both of us up and we got out for about $10. Relatively simple menu but great prices and friendly service. There are a few different sauces at each table to dip in, a dumpling sauce, a chili sauce and a ginger sauce (if I'm remembering correctly). It's kind of hidden but I've taken the Chinatown bus so many times I don't know how I missed it, would've really come in handy for those times I would've liked a quick bite to eat before catching a ride to NYC. (It's near the Chinatown bus.)
(4)
Percy N.
This place has some awesome, authentic dishes made with love, especially the Xiao Long Bao, which is not only hard to find in the Philly area, but these are one of the best I have ever had. Not sure if it is the fumes from the buses outside the restaurant, but even pedestrian dishes like the fried rice tasted special. When I last visited, they were still waiting for their gas stove, so I can only imagine the dishes getting better....if that is possible. Super friendly and helpful service and super cheap. A bit hard to find and you can easily walk by. Look for the neon "Wings" sign.
(5)
Sarah P.
Awesome dumpling joint! We were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, conveniently across the the street from Dim Sum Garden, and were looking for a late light dinner before turning in without resorting to room service. I read the reviews on here for the soup dumplings and thought I'd try them, very happy I did! No, the place is not fancy or in a great location but the food is yummy. Husband was not too fond of the General Tso's chicken because he found some cartilage in it (he prefers it made with white meat) but I thought it was tasty. The scallion pancakes were yummy, loved the shrimp dumplings and yes, the soup dumplings were really good. Husband ordered one of the cantaloupe smoothies and it was a hit. Cheap too, we ate well for about $20.
(4)
Epic N.
when you go, order only the SOUP DUMPLINGS and if you need another dish, the scallion pancakes - they get 5 stars - the scallion pancakes were light and crispy but wish it had more scallion - but when ordering the dumplings... make sure to ask for finely JULIENNE FRESH GINGER and put that on top of the dumplings- it adds great flavor to the dish! I tried a lot of the other stuff and nothing was that great - I ordered the gizzard, the duck, pork something...
(4)
Joyce W.
I would have to say that this place is good for where it is at. Philadelphia isnt really known for their asian population so for the quality of shanghai soupy dumplings... its great. Dont get me wrong, its not bad... the skin is thin but i have had thinner and yummy juices. I just recently tried another place in NY for dumplings and that was DELICIOUS!!!! I will definitly go back to this place and try others dishes... looking forward to try their noodles.
(4)
Totally I.
I've been three times in the last month.It's got great Xiao Long Bao, shanghai soup dumplings (pork or crab). These are rarely found done well anywhere around here. The Chives & Pork dumplings are excellent and they use hand-pulled noodles. All that and the most expensive thing on the menu is $6.75! no joke... Not really a traditional dim sum restaurant but the dishes they do provide are superior to the 'traditional' Philly dim sum spots. I could eat there every day (edit: no, it turns out I can't eat there everyday... or shouldn't anyway) Poor Dawn R. doesn't know what's what with the soup dumpling. Try googling 'how to eat xiao lung bao' - as to Dave B.'s comment, to be clear it's not IN the bus terminal... it's across the little alley from the New Century 'Chinatown bus' office, and both are under the parking garage/hotel annex attached to the convention center that covers a number of streets in the area.
(4)
Ryan B.
The older couple at the table next to me said it best "the foods really good here and the hipsters haven't taken over yet". I came here with the sole intent of finding delicious soup dumplings in Philadelphia and boy oh boy did I find them. They were EVERY bit as good as the ones I'm used to in NYC. Glad I found this place on yelp and I'm glad it'll save me China Town Bus rides to NYC for my soup dumpling fix. Don't let this places location scare you away, like Aladdin it's a "diamond in the ruff"
(4)
Katie B.
Pork Juicy Buns are amazing! GO!
(5)
David M.
Went there on a Sunday around noon. We had their soup dumplings, pan fried soup dumplings, har gow, triple stream dumplings, and turnip cake. My favorite was their pan fried soup dumplings, simply amazing. The service was fast, the price was cheap, and the food was great, what more can you ask?
(5)
Patricia L.
For someone who's lived in Asia most of my life, this place def did not live up to its yelp reviews. The soup dumplings were juicy but were greasy and salty. You can definitely feel the MSG rolling off your tongue. Their pork and chive dumplings were decent but nothing to scream about. The scallion pancake is thin and crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside and comes with a decent tangy sauce. Overall, Good location and inexpensive. You can get 8 soup dumplings for 5.25. However if you want better, more authentic soup dumplings, head a few blocks down to Sakura Mandarin!
(2)
Brian K.
Fantastic! Certainly doesn't look like much from the outside, and the location is a little sketchy, but don't let that deter you -- the food is delicious! Everything here is hand made (e.g. noodles, dumplings, etc) and you can really taste the difference. Ordered the soup dumplings and they were great. Wonderful broth under and tender skin. Also ordered one of the noodle dishes, which was excellent. The homemade noodles are chewy and perfect. The only downside was the wonton soup -- my companion liked it but the broth was a little off to me. Also, the duck in the roast duck over rice was more bones than duck -- although the crispy skin was great. Overall, fabulous place, very cheap, great service, and amazing food.
(4)
Natalie H.
When taking the bus to NYC, I always came by this place and wanted to try it. I am a gigantic dumpling fan, they may be my favorite food, anyways, I stopped in here on my way home to pick up some dumplings to go. I ordered the pork "soup" dumplings. Wow, they were good. Although I only had one dish, it was five stars! I would absolutely go back and try every other kind of dumpling.
(5)
Paul B.
Xlb had really good skins. Broth was decent but the dipping sauce was lacking. Personally if I am eating soup dumplings then I want the vinegar sauce with ginger to cut the super savory xlb broth. The dipping sauce was in this little pourer instead of a dish and ginger was no where to be found. I'll be the first to admit that I had no idea how to use that pourer without spilling everywhere. Regardless pork xlb were 8 for $5.25, and to be clear: I'm not completely insane. There is no way I'm going to give a bad review to delicious soup dumplings at that price. To top it off Dim Sum Garden is so much easier to get to in Philly than it is for me to make it out to flushing from my manhattan apt.
(4)
Bianca L.
OK so I admit that all we ordered here was one order of xiao long bao (Shanghainese soup dumplings with crab and pork) but they were delicious. The skin was the perfect thickness - very, very thin and the dumplings were clearly handmade. It's not at all a traditional dim sum restaurant - for one thing, dim sum is generally Cantonese-style Chinese tapas-like lunch, whereas Dim Sum Garden offers food that is primarily Shanghainese in style. The noodle soups and other dishes also seem good - I'm looking forward to trying the smoked fish next time. It's in an odd location, and I admit that the pictures of the food above the counter and the decor threw me off a bit, but the food is worth returning for. I'll update after I try more than just the soup dumplings but those were so good it was worth reviewing just on that basis. ** Update: we returned here and ordered more dumplings and other tasty dishes. The noodles in the beef brisket soup were great - handmade and nicely chewy but the broth itself was a little flavorless and too salty. However, everything else we ordered was terrific - the dumplings had nice, thick skins with juicy fillings and the green onion pancake was top-notch. And again, this time both orders of Shanghainese soup dumplings were spot-on - served piping hot, they were juicy and wonderful. Next time, I'm trying the smoked fish (another Shanghainese specialty).
(4)
Abe L.
Best xiao long bao in the mid-atlantic area by far. Blows away Joe's shanghai. Almost as good as din tai fung in Taipei. Decor is what you'd expect of a restaurant next to the bus depot.
(4)
Thao H.
On par for Chinese food.
(3)
Micaela F.
Kinda in a sketchy area but when you try their delicious varieties of dumplings you will forget where you are. Came the first time with a friend after we read Craig Le Ban's review. He did not go wrong with this one. The soup dumplings are delicious and the Siu Mai is a bit different but love it.
(5)
Erin H.
Probably the most solicitous service I have had in a Chinese restaurant in a long time. Not your typical Dim Sum experience but my lunch was beyond delicious! The duck was amazingly tender and fatty and the soft, wide noodles were amazing. The crab dumplings were tasty, steaming hot little delights. What cannot be beat was the price! 3 of us ate for $21 - worth every penny - a great lunch place - particularly during a grueling conference :).
(3)
Jerry W.
Absolutely amazing. Their dim sum and noodle soup (Udon) are to die for and cost next to nothing.
(5)
C'Anne W.
Yum! More Shanghai style than traditional Hong Kong style. Very tasty and available at 3 in the afternoon! Our party of 10 thoroughly enjoyed it. (Some of us have lived in HK, and some of us are Asian!)
(4)
Richard L.
I really like their food! Despite their terrible location, they serve up fresh and delicious Chinese. Yes the dim sum is really good. I'm sorta addicted. Don't let the appearance fool you and yes the Philadelphia Inquierer review was right on!
(4)
Mega D.
Vile. Those who work in an open kitchen must be aware that customers can SEE EVERY HORRID THING BEING DONE TO THEIR FOOD. Like, woman preparing my disgusting, overpriced wonton noodle soup: I can see that you are repeatedly blowing your nose and not washing your hands while touching things that I might ingest with your diseased digits. Like, other women preparing pork/ whatever dumplings, I can see that you have decided to forgo the $3 for a box of zip lock bags and have instead opted to store said meat in a CVS bag. That's right, a plastic CVS bag that you get when you buy things like tampons, razorblades, whatever. I am not a germophobe but I would rather not witness a PARADE OF CONTAGIONS while you are preparing food I have paid you money for. Against my better judgment, I was curious to see how this hazmat-soaked soup tasted. As I attempted to corral a dumpling with my chopsticks, it disintegrated into the oily mass of broth, slime noodles and rancid, yellow bok choi. As poor and hungry as I was, I threw this putrid mixture in the trash. In summary, do not go here. For amazing, simple and inexpensive wonton noodle soup, I totally recommend patronizing either Wong Wong at 9th and Race Streets or Wokano at 11th and Washington Streets.
(1)
Carl N.
For years I've been driving up to my usual spots in Manhattan and Flushing for my xia long bao fix - not anymore. I've walked past this place so many times but never gave it a second thought on entering until I read about it on one of Yelp's monthly emails. I was hesitant at first, but after reading everyone's reviews and tips I decided to give it a shot. Besides the delicious xia long bao, the dumplings there are excellent as well (pork & chives). My preference is for the steamed dumplings though (fried ones are ok, but probably would have tasted better had I ordered it right after the grill was cleaned). I've gone as often as twice a day for xiao long baos; gluttonous.
(4)
june g.
Sometimes, you find delectable delights in places you'd expect least. In my case, that'd be next to the bus depot in Chinatown, in an obscenely bright, but clean restaurant. Craving what I once had in Chinatown in Lima, Peru; I went on a quest to find the closest thing to it here in Philadelphia. After much reviewing, Dim Sum Garden looked to be the best bet, so my Valentine and I ventured out. Upon arriving we were told to sit anywhere, we're brought hot, black tea and handed menus. After much contemplation, we decided on scallion pancakes, shanghai suimai, shrimp dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, wonton soup, and juicy pork buns. I'll save the best for last. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, not overly doughy or oily. Yet I'm still hoping to find scallion pancakes where the flavor of the scallions are more present and dominant. The wontons in the soup were freshly homemade and delicious, however, I didn't care for the broth; as the smell of seafood from the seaweed in the soup was slightly overbearing. The shrimp dumplings were good, nothing stood out about them but they were a nice accompaniment to the other dishes. Among my favorites were the savory Shanghi Sui Mai, served hot and steamy. I tasted rice, pork, and is that coconut? I don't know what was in them, but with some dumpling sauce it made a dish to return to. The ginger sauce tasted old and fermented which was my only slight disapointment, as I love ginger and was looking forward to having it as my primary dipping sauce. Between refilled cups of tea, we moved on to our other dishes. The chives were ever present in the succulent pork and chive dumplings. The dough just the right consistency, soft on the tongue and slightly chewy. After reading about the must have 'soup dumplings', they were a nice finish to an already savory, filling meal. Heeding the advice of other soup dumpling eaters, I slowly bit a piece of the dumpling off the top, blew into it to cool the soup, sipped and then savored the pork and juice after devouring the rest of the dumpling. Very tasty yet a bit oily(I take it that's only the natural pork fat), but I'd order it again to share with others, perhaps the crab and pork version next time. And with a $26.00 bill, we'll be back. And that, my fellow yelpers, just about dim sums it up.
(4)
Diane C.
All I can say is...YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Dave H. for Yelping about it!
(5)
Christina S.
Everything looks different from their photo and the photos posted by other people, almost making me wonder if the owner changed? The skin of the shrimp dumplings was not chewy at all, which was the worst dish of the day. The pan fried pork buns were soupy and nice. The cucumber appetizer was a bit salty but not bad at all. The shui-mai was... hmm... innovative, in a way that I would never order again (but my families who didn't like regular shui-mei, liked their innovative shui-mei lol). I will give them 3-stars because it wasn't bad but I've had better.
(3)
S W.
I finally had the chance to try the Xiao Long Bao, and they were really good. I am so happy to finally have a place to get these instead of having to go all the way to NYC. Their noodles were also really good, made in the restaurant, and when I asked the waitress, she said the "dry style" was better than the soup style. I got the dry noodles, and although they were a little salty, they were really tasty. Don't let this place close down, Philly definitely needs more Chinese restaurants than the usual Cantonese style! Next time, I want to try their dumplings and their scallion pancake. Also, as a side note, they do sell their dumplings raw, if you want to take them home and freeze them. Same price as cooked at the restaurant.
(4)
John B.
Xiao Long Bao (Soup dumplings!! These are much better than the ones from Joe's Shanghai in NY. Their fried noodles have good flavor (maybe a tad too salty at times) and their soup noodles are a bit blend. But I can give 4 stars just based on their soup dumplings. My favorite things to get: Pork Soup Dumplings, Pork/Crab Soup Dumplings, Beef Noodles without Soup.
(4)
Emanuel K.
One of my favorite spots in China town, and one of the few places with true Shanghainese dishes. While the atmosphere is somewhat drab, and the exterior may cause you to mistake the place for a cafeteria for the bus station next door, the food will quickly expunge your mind of all such thoughts. While Craig LaBan made this place known for its soup dumplings (which are out of this world), other dishes such as egg and tomato over rice and pork sauce noodle are equally outstanding and should not be overlooked. The food is delicious, the service is excellent and the prices are remarkably cheap.
(5)
David C.
This is not the "original" dim sum garden--the real place moved and some new crummy owners kept the name to try to retain the business. For the "old" dim sum garden, go to their new location at 1020 Race St.
(1)
Trong T.
Food is amazing!!!! They are almost always packed. Try the soup dumpling and any of the homemade noodles. Don't be put off by the location... it's worth trying!!
(5)
Kaori I.
After reading Yelp I went to Dim Sum Garden. While we were waiting for the food to come, I saw a guy came out of the kitchen with a 50 lb. bag of MSG. Then all I could taste was MSG afterwords. I was very disappointed.
(1)
G Z.
This is not the most glamorous place to eat, but overlook that and try the handmade xiao long bao (Shanghai steamed buns). Having lived in Shanghai, these are the most authentic you'll get in Philly (if you can even find them anywhere else). The vegetable steamed buns, steamed pork & chives dumplings, and scallion pancake are all just as fantastic, handmade, authentic goodness.
(5)
Aaron C.
WARNING: DO NOT GO. TRY ANOTHER PLACE. BAD SERVICE, AWFUL FOOD(POSSIBLY RAW). Came here another time. Asked for steamed pork buns, steamed crabmeat and pork buns, shrimp dumplings and marinated pork. In general, food sucks this time, as well as the service. I will never set foot in this crappy place again. Try to buy some frozen shrimp dumplings and steam them yourself, it'll still beat the hell of the ones in this place. I bet even if you grab some raw shrimp and wrap them in some cookie dough, and eat it directly, it still beats the ones here. As for the pork buns, well, it tasted a bit raw, and the center of the stuffing inside was still red like the center of a medium rare steak. I'm personally okay with undercooked meat, but this is pork, and it is not supposed to be raw in the bun! I had it anyway since I was starving. Now I regret I did since I'm feeling food poisoning now. The service sucked as well. I should have expected this yet once again they surprised me. It took about long enough waiting to be served, and then another 15mins waiting for the buns. The server only brought the crabmeat buns but not the pork buns in the beginning. After we've finished everything else, the pork buns was not ready. I asked the server and was told "right away". After 10 mins or so, it was finally brought to me. I can only assume they forgot the order at first. Finished dinner I asked for the check. Handwritten, of course. They wrote the prices for the four dishes, and a total. It appears the total is not the sum of the four dishes, so I thought I should ask. Then the b**ch at the counter just freaked out saying "the calculation is right". She showed me how it was done. Basically it was right: the total was after tax. Only if she put the tax on the receipt I would have known that, and every other restaurant I've been to will do so. And then she was like "this is America, of course it includes tax" with a condescending tone. WTF? I've been here for years and I suddenly don't know I'm in America now? I thought okay, whatever. I'm not going to argue, I'll just pay then, but she then said "I'll put the 15% tip in as well." And then she put in an amount and was about to swipe my card. HEY! I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU 15% EVEN FOR THE AWFUL FOOD AND SERVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT JUST CHARGE ME THAT WITHOUT MY CONSENT! So I told her hell no, I'm not giving you 15% tip. Eventually I just wrote a big zero on the tip and gave them what they charged for food only - not that they earned it. And then the b**ch murmured something to other people like "they are poor". LOL. I can give 20% tip if I like the service and the food. But for this? And she even wants to charge me directly with food? I would have given negative tips if I could. If you have reached here. I appreciate your patience. Take my advice: don't go to this place. B**ch and awful food ALERT.
(1)
Ben P.
High end, this is not. Fancy, this is not. Good-ass food, THIS IS. Seriously, son. This place is one step below the Ikea cafeteria in terms of look and feel. You couldn't pick a worse place in the city to open a restaurant. Fortunately for them, their food is off the hook. Dumplings and juicy buns that are absolutely the balls. Traditional dishes like sesame chicken, et al that will blow the chopsticks off your local go-to joint. If I lived downtown, I would be here weekly. Shit, I live in South Philly and I might anyway.
(5)
Erin D.
This is your typical Chinese restaurant in terms of decor. It's functional and plain. There are tables and chairs; that's all you need. The table and chopsticks are clean; that's all you need. This was my first time having Shanghai-style dim sum, since Houston mainly has Hong Kong-style dim sum. I ordered the juicy buns, and they were DELICIOUS. The waitress sensed I was out of my element, so she nicely explained how to eat them (as explained in other reviews). The soup broth inside was phenomenal. I also ordered the siu mai, which is very different than what I am used to, but still tasty. The wonton wrapper on the siu mai could be less pasty or doughy if possible. The siu mai though is absolutely huge compared to the Hong Kong style. My eight juicy buns, four pieces of siu mai, and two bottles of water were $11, an absolutely wonderful price, although credit cards require a minimum of $15. The service was very good too, unlike your typical Chinese restaurant. This is also convenient for those staying at the Hilton Garden Inn across the street. I will definitely come again!
(4)
Jessie L.
While the soup dumplings are definitely worth getting, this place doesn't have a lot of the dim sum dishes I was looking for. I would skip on the shrimp dumplings, which were oversteamed, and also skip on the very ordinary scallion pancakes. This place also has a $20 minimum for credit cards do bring cash or plan to get 4 dishes. I thought the waitstaff was fine however I did hear them say quite a few nasty things about customers in mandarin.
(3)
Ashleigh M.
Yes - this place is situated in a shady location, just footsteps from the Chinatown bus station.... Yes - this place doesn't LOOK the cleanest.... Yes, the waitstaff provides minimal service... HOWEVER, the food is DELICIOUS and the one time I used the bathroom it was shockingly clean. Although you should never judge a book by its cover, you should ALWAYS judge a restaurant by the cleanliness of it's bathroom ;) Seriously though, this place is my goto.... The steamed pork juicy buns are divine - if you don't know how to eat them, make sure to ask! It's basically a soup filled dumpling and you are supposed to slurp the soup out of the dumpling before you eat it - mmmmmm! The chicken on a stick is exactly as you guessed, chicken meat grilled on a stick, great if you need that extra boost of protein in your meal. The scallion pancakes are amazing as well, I smother them in the hot oil and gyoza sauce on the table. Additional favorites include - shanghai shumai, pork noodle in sauce (sounds weird, tastes great!), cucumbers (oh so refreshing - I ask for them spicy), and any of the noodle soups. Also the smoothies (I have been meaning to ask for no added sugar since they taste so delicious they must have SOMETHING added!) and the iced bubble tea are key. I'm sure I'll be seeing ya sooner rather than later Dim Sum Garden!!!
(5)
Christine L.
Think of Dim Sum Garden as street food with a ceiling, and your expectations will be right on par with what you get. Great introduction to Shanghainese Dim Sum- you'll find that some of your favorites (turnip cakes, shao mai) are completely different than the regular dim sum you may have been looking for. Both steamed and fried versions of dumplings and buns are delicious. Don't choose one or the other. Order both, and while you wait for your order, admire the strangely labeled sauces on the table. And don't forget the Xiaolongbao! Definitely don't miss out on that. The server said the noodles are made in-house, and they definitely have that handmade, chewy texture. Recommend the pork with sauce noodle (I think that's the right name). Fast service (when there are two servers). Go with a group so you can eat a ton of different dishes.
(4)
Christine B.
Went here with a group of 8 on Chinese new year's eve. It's not the traditional brunch dim sum that you get from the carts, but there are lots of dumpling options, and an assortment of Chinese food type dishes. Everything I tried was good. I went with the pork and noodles hoping it would be like dan dan noodles, and after adding some spice, it was in the same family, but not exactly the same thing. All of the dumplings were tasty, and I loved the scallion pancakes. Price was about 15 a person which I would consider a pretty cheap dinner.
(3)
Rebecca Y.
This was the absolutely worst customer service experience of my life. I have never been treated so rudely by anyone at a business before. Basically, the workers at this restaurant harassed my friend while she was IN THE BATHROOM by banging on the door and yelling at her to get out, talked s*** about me and my friend in Chinese (assuming that I couldn't understand what they were saying), and then lied about doing so when we confronted them about it (in Chinese of course, which just shocked the hell outta them. Wish I could have captured the look of horror on their faces when they realized I understood everything they had said!) My friend and I came here because we were craving some xiaolongbao, but what we got was an awful experience that I never want to repeat again. My friend wrote a Yelp review about it, which Yelp initially took down because they found it offensive, but I'll vouch for her experience, because it really WAS that bad. For details, here's the link to her review: yelp.com/biz/dim-sum-gar… Their xiaolongbao are pretty good, but it's not worth it when you're treated like crap. I will never come here again and I encourage my fellow Yelpers to not do so, either.
(1)
Sarah F.
Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me
(3)
Jihye T.
There is always someone eating here, at most odd times of the day. During meal times, particularly on weekends, it could get quite crowded. So, even though the restaurant looks a bit sketchy from the outside, I decided to I had to check out what the fuss was about. The soup dumplings here will satisfy the craving - plenty of hot juice in the bun, and the pork flavor is nice enough. However, I found the skin to be a bit too chewy and the soup lacked the garlicky/ gingery aroma that typically adds another dimension to the pork flavor.
(3)
Jack F.
Me: "How late are you open later tonight [Christmas Eve]?" Server #1: "10:30" Me: "What about tomorrow" Server #1: [Says nothing when she realizes I'm not eating] Server #2: "10:30" [in a rushed and annoyed manner as if she's shooing you away] Service may not be ideal but the soup dumplings are amazing. Dim Sum Garden makes an ideal pit stop by the bus with prices you'd expect from Chinatown ($5.25 for 8 steamed dumplings). Yeah, I'd come back even if they were rude. [Last Visit: December 25, 2011]
(4)
Meg S.
Low on atmosphere, but decent food. We had the scallion pancakes and the soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes were good, greasy but good. I didn't heed previous reviews on the soup dumplings, however (I didn't Yelp it beforehand and see what happens...), and ended up getting a bit of a burn on my mouth...but other than that, delicious and cheap. My reason for three stars is that the overall atmosphere is really unpleasant. Something with the overhead lights gives you that feeling of being in convenience store at 3 in the morning, and not in a good way. It'd be an easy 4 stars with better lighting, decoration on the walls, etc, but I'm just not feeling it now.
(3)
Lilli C.
I had just gotten off the bus and stopped in here because it was close and I was hungry. I really wasn't expecting much, but the food here is delicous and cheap! I got the sauteed homemade noodles with pork. The noodles were fantastic- they were light and fluffy and were seasoned in this flavorful brown sauce. I will definitely be back here to try the soup dumplings and their other dim sum items.
(4)
Gina M.
What a terrific place to enjoy my favorite food. You just cannot go wrong with some Dim Sum. And at the prices they offer, you can try as many as you want! When I first walked in, I almost wanted to hit my sister because the place looks awful. It is really tacky and ghetto, but we're in Philadelphia. I don't know why that shocked me! But I sat down anyway and we ordered away. The scallion pancakes ( I hope I remembered the name correctly) were to die for. They were absolutely delicious. We ordered a bunch of different varieties of Dim Sum and there was only one I didn't care for. The pan fired vegetable dim sum had a bit of a spice to it and I don't care for that. My sister, however, loved them. Everything we ordered was great and came to us fast. I loved the little kid that comes over to teach you how to eat dim sum too. This place, as previously mentioned in someone else's yelp, is a perfect definition of a 'hole-in-the-wall'. Go check it out!
(4)
Mike L.
I've had better dim sum to say the least. While the prices initially look good, you can normally get dim sum for far cheaper. I had heard good things about their soup dumplings, but I'm sorely disappointed by the ones I got. The soup was far sweeter than I'm used to. The Siu Mai was good though. As were the shrimp dumplings.
(3)
Jonathan P.
Finally made it around to trying the famous Dim Sum Garden, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Didn't get too crazy with the menu selection; general tso's chicken, pork and scallion steamed dumplings, and pork dim sum. It took them ten minutes to have everything ready for pickup....somehow every Chinese restaurant manage to cook any size order in fifteen minutes or less, I love it. The steamed dumplings were good and cooked perfectly, the general tso's chicken was mushy and didn't taste that good (had a feeling that would be the case at a place that specializes in dumplings). And the pork dim sum made up for everything, they were literally the best dumplings I've ever had. The broth inside was filled with flavor and the pork was juicy. The prices are low for what's in the area, along with the quality and great tasting dumplings being served. Stick with the dumpling menu and you can't go wrong. So happy I live close by and can make this one of my regular spots.
(4)
Kevin S.
SOUP DUMPLINGS!!! Ok I must admit that I was unsure about this place. Being next to the Chinatown Bus Station and the most disgusting Wawa in Philly made me not even think of trying it. But I did at a friends recommendation...I'm so glad I did. Try the soup dumplings and cucumber salad.
(5)
Caleigh R.
Not my favorite dim sum experience. We are big fans of sticky buns--and they didn't have these on the menu. The gal who helped us was very sweet and helpful. She was very informative when it came to how we should eat the soup dumplings. She also suggested the 3 sauces in the middle. Of the two soy colored sauces (still don't know what they were) I liked the sweeter one the most. I love my hot sauce as well! We had: Crab/pork soup dumplings-new experience. Interesting. Still love my sticky buns more. Scallion pancakes were my favorite Brocollini- flavorful and not too greasy Panfried pork buns -meh---same things as the soup dumplings, only fried. Could have done without these. Miss our sticky buns!!!
(3)
Jonny R.
My favorite spot for dim sum. There is not cart service, which I think must be a problem from some folks. But I enjoyed my options, and liked seeing a menu and ordering that way, too. It's unsuspecting, since it's in the bus tunnel-actually think that's a plus in some ways. I'll update the review with recommendations next time I'm there.
(3)
Clint W.
As much as it pains me to say it, my initial impression of Dim Sum may have been premature, a little influenced by the thrill of the chase. Like those guys that are obsessed with the girl until they get them, who once the primal chase is called off, find themselves disillusioned. After our first good experience at Dim Sum, my girlfriend and I returned with excitement. We knew what we were in for: good, inexpensive food, uncleaned tables, and a terse waitstaff. The Pork Juicy Buns, I must say, were just as delicious as the last time. But something had changed in the character of the place. Perhaps with all the positive reviews and the talk of Chef Jose Garces treating his family to Dim Sum made them complacent. They were out of the first 5 dishes we wanted (General Tso's, sesame, sweet & sour, etc etc). My girlfriend settled for some chicken and broccoli, that proved so fatty as to be almost inedible, and I ordered spring rolls along with the Pork Juicy Buns. After bringing our food, the waiter disappeared outside and never returned. We tried to pay but they said they'd bring the bill (another long wait ensued). Finally, after 15 minutes of empty time, we received our check, paid, and departed. Even though we knew to expect poor service and questionable food, our disappointment was beyond minor discomforts. For example, I love food but I'm not positive that the chicken and broccoli actually consisted of chicken. Why would they be out of every other chicken dish except that one? It didn't taste much like chicken and it certainly didn't look like it. I'm not saying Dim Sum doesn't have some excellent specialties. For a snack consisting of the Pork Juicy Buns, I might return. For a dinner, on the other hand, I'd sooner pay a little extra and order General Tso's from Empress Garden, the jewel of Chinatown.
(2)
Edward M.
Any place that, in an impromptu moment of hunger in the area, I decide to go to and - after eating the meal - am glad I did, deserves four stars. Mmmm, tasty hot seaweed soup.
(4)
Wes D.
My wife and I lived in Asia for a few years, and believe that most of the food items that we tried at Dim Sum Garden reflected a delicious authenticity. Their xiao long bao was outstanding, and their beef noodle soup brought us back to Taiwan. The atmosphere was a little dingy, but it kind of gave off that secret hole-in-the-wall feel, and we felt like we were expecting that going in. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we felt like the prices were commendable. We spent $24 for xiao long bao, onion pancakes, beef noodle soup, friend dumplings, and milk tea. They provided glasses of water immediately, which although it would've been nice to have complimentary hot tea, we were surprised to have free drinks. Our party of three walked away full and thrilled to have found a decent xiao long bao restaurant. Definitely going back...
(4)
Kevin A.
DUMPLING HEAVEN After cheesesteak overload I needed some Chinese food to restore balance to the force. Thank goodness for Dim Sum Garden. As soon as I walked in I knew this place was going to be great. It's a no-nonsense, no-frills, high turnover place that does what they do very well. Here's what you need to order. Trust me. -XLBs aka pork soup dumplings (Attn:XLB snobs from LA - just shut it...no one wants to hear about how much better ____ in LA/Arcadia/San Gabriel/ is) -Pork & chive potstickers; perfection, I could have eaten a dozen by myself. -Zhajiang mein; fried noodles with ground pork and gravy. (Note: Beware of the soy sauce bottles - they tend to send a squirt when you turn them over)
(5)
Mihiri w.
Confession: I am obsessed with their soup dumplings! The filling is so delicious and love the burst of all the soupy goodness. I also like the the pan-seared( don't know it's actual name) soup dumplings. They are more chewy in texture and aren't as " soupy". Their shrimp dumplings are good, typical dimsum kind, nothing out of the ordinary. I refuse to give them 5 stars because they have a $20 credit care limit, which is very inconvenient for a girl who rarely carries any cash.
(4)
Ming W.
Best xiao long bao I've had outside of Shanghai! These people really get it right with the dimsum. Also tried the shumai and "sheng jian bao" which were also on point. The surrounding area seems to be a slight bit ghetto but was worth the trip. Would definitely come back over and over.
(5)
Kevin R.
When I first came through the door I had the feeling that I was in the wrong place. I'm used to the big Dim Sum houses of San Francisco and Oakland Chinatowns where a battalion of non-English speaking Chinese woman push around the traditional carts. This place had about a dozen tables and no carts. I've never had Xiao long bao and wish I had read up on these juicy bites of goodness before I arrived. The little dumpling exploded onto my shirt, pants, and table while I sat there with an expression like I had just let out a loud fart by accident. I wised up and used a soup spoon to cradle the 2nd dumpling while I carefully bit the corner off and sucked out the most amazing broth I have ever had. I also had a great flat noodle dish with pork that was quite tasty. The next time you find yourself close to this underpass by Reading Terminal, do yourself a favor and try the Xiao long bao, just remember to wear an old shirt.
(4)
Jen H.
Most of the food here is on par if not sub par but the juicy buns are definitely worth getting. The service wavers depending on who you get as a server but it's not exactly a place of luxury so it really doesn't phase me when I get a crap waiter/waitress. Overall, it's a dingy place that serves pretty cheap, decent food. Go to try the juicy buns. Oh, and on a side note, I do also enjoy the tomato and egg over rice dish.
(3)
Michael L.
So I came back again...the next day. But this time, for dinner. I just ordered the Crab meat XLB (#2), and got some pea shoot sprouts (not on the menu, just ask for daily vegetable availability). The XLB itself was pretty good- none of them "broke" or "popped" prematurely, and all 8 had good amounts of broth in them. The broth is slightly sweet, which makes me think these folks are really from Shanghai, as Shanghainese cuisine tends to be on the sweeter side. (It's one thing to have "Shanghai" written as a descriptor of menu items, but it's another thing to actually flavor the food accordingly.) I noticed the same thing with the pea sprouts. Slightly sweet. In a good way. Gotta get my veggies in...or I'll pay for it later...in non-monetary forms... The crab topping on top of the XLB was just ok. I could go without it. I'd probably order the normal XLB next time. Yes, I do mean that I will be back before the end of this week...perhaps more than once....wait...probably, since I'll bring my friends in Philly at least once.
(4)
Jay W.
The soup dumplings ( AKA the juicy pork dumplings) are amazing. Hot pork soup inside the dumpling. Be careful eating them, that you don't burn yourself. My favorite thing to do is wait until they are just cool enough and pop the whole thing into my mouth (with a little spicy oil). When you bite it that way, its like a giant savory Gusher. The Chinese broccoli is my favorite vegetable served here. It is absolutely PACKED with garlic. Great dim sum, the napa and pork dumplings are also really good, tasty steamed bok choy, pretty good noodles. Also, try the the duck fried rice, and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food comes out quickly. Not much of a decor. In the winter you'll get a cold draft every time someone comes in. Very cheap food, you could order more food than you can eat for under $10. If you are planning on using a credit card you must spend more than $15.
(5)
Pira T.
Finally tried this place. Service was ok. Food was meh. Nothing special. It wasn't good at all. Don't know why people love this place so much. I was disappointed. Cause a bit more than other places in chinatown. I had dumpling, scallion pancakes, fried rice, duck and many other dishes in dim sum category. Seriously I try six places in Chinatown so far and dimsum places. I like all of them. But this place doesn't taste good at all. No flavor. Just skip this place and walk few more blocks for yummy cheaper food.
(1)
Zareen S.
My sister had to beg me a lot to come here. I was verrrrrrry skeptical, and very would be an understatement. This is probably as good as Dim Sum gets. We ordered the chicken, shrimp and the pork ones. Obviously I had to be "that person" and order something "adventurous" and go with the rice filled cuties. They surprisingly tasted pretty good, if you are looking for something heavy and a bit more filling i guess. It would be safe to say, all their Dim Sum probably tastes good. 4 stars instead of 5? I am slightly OCD when it comes to cleaning restaurants [since i work in two], and the star had everything to do with how clean the place is and nothing to do with the food. Sorray!
(4)
Sean B.
Quick, simple, delicious, cheap. They have a limited but good menu and the service is friendly and fast. These won't be the best dumplings or shu mai you've ever had, but they will be good enough and they will be cheap as hell. Great place for a quick, relatively-healthy bite to eat.
(4)
Art C.
Was gonna go to Rangoon for lunch today. Glad I decided to do that some other time. Lunch at DSG was awesome. My friend and I had: Cabbage & Chili Soup- excellent (only $1.50!) Seaweed salad- very nice Pork soup dumplings- to die for Fried Veg Dumplings- exquisite, tiny diced tofu, chives & other veg, way better than typical veg dumplings Cold cucumber- very nice, I wonder if the the cukes are slightly fermented, definitely more going on than typical Chinese cold cucumber salad Another order of pork soup dumplings, we couldn't resist. We left stuffed and happy, the bill was only $26.95! YUM!
(5)
Ernest S.
If you like judging a book by its cover, you probably wouldn't step in here. Which is cool, cause that just ensures a table for me to enjoy some xiao long bao! These little guys are definitely soupy and hot enough to burn the mouth if you take too large of a bite - in other words, they're pretty legit. My pickled veggie and beef noodle soup was a little salty. Guess you can't win with everything.
(4)
johnnie u.
Believe the hype, the rumors are true. Dim Sum Garden has a cheerless exterior under the bus terminal complex, and the interior is an assault of bright neon and hand-written signs. But one doesn't go here for the atmosphere, it's all about the dumplings. I've sampled xiao long bao (soup dumplings) every place between Shanghai and Manhattan and Dim Sum Garden is as good as any I've had. Scallion pancakes are crispy without being greasy.
(4)
Thuy F.
i absolutely love the soup dumplings here. plenty of flavor and they even show u how to eat it correctly. only gripe i have about this place is that service sucks
(5)
Bob S.
I am kinda sorta a fan... I liked the food, but the place was freezing! Now about the food.... After a hard day of shopping at the King of Prussia mall we decided on some dim sum. When you first arrive you feel like you just walked into an annex of the chinese bus station next door...the decor is sparse and utilitarian...however peruse the menu and your thoughts change....I thought myself, "Let's have some fun." And so I did. I started with the pork dumpling soup. Dumplings were tasty but the broth was metallic tasting. Weird huh? Next up was fried egg, tomatoes, pickes, and baby bok choy....sounds gross right? Well, it worked. It was tasty as all can be. I am making it for breakfast... Next up was pork and crab something or others...they were mini explosins of pork and crab that I had to receive special instructions on how to eat. Service - is fast and mercenary. Tea - weak and metallic. Homeless people wander in at times. But hey this is Philly... Bathrooms - no idea. Did not want to know really.
(4)
Ryan T.
Had the napa/pork and shrimp dumplings as well as the steamed pork juicy buns (one of their specialties). Everything was fresh, flavorful, and served quickly. Our first visit to Philly and Dim Sum Garden won't be our last!
(5)
Paul P.
Wow! What a great meal. The Dim Sum was unique and tasty. Ordered the pork and crab soup dumpling, Shu Mai, Har Gao, Smoked Fish, Bok Choi and roasted duck. I wasn't successful in not making a mess with the soup dumpling, but it was so worth it in my mouth. It tasted like a wonton soup wrapped up in a dumpling. The Shu Mai normal ground pork filling was mixed with sticky rice - good creation. The Bok Choi and Fish was exceptional as well. The only dish that did not feel up to par was the the duck, only because it was normal. The server girl was very helpful and attentive. Will definitely recommend to others.
(4)
Hoa T.
Yup it's official. I do not like their xiao long bao. I tried them again today and they are still pretty bland. Really, where is the crab in the filling? Did not taste it at all. The chive dumplings still taste great thank god or this would have been 2 stars for sure.
(3)
Zeaten T.
Pork soup dumplings (juicy buns), best in Philly! The steamed vegetable dumplings were hand made and really good as well. I usually go here first for soup-dumpling appetizer then up to race street for the rest.
(5)
Adam B.
I had a pretty good dim sum experience here, although I didn't see fun rolls on the menu. The siu mai were different than anything I've had. It seemed more of a rice/pork mix inside of the same wrapper... similar to a sticky rice filling. They had some non normal dim sum items. We tried one of them, but I can't remember the name. It was a pasty taro cake, with a big emphasis on pasty. Very good. We had some pancakes that we didn't like. It seemed like an unsalted, greasy tortilla chip.
(4)
Cherryl L.
I can't believe this place exist in Philly. I lived here for so long and have passed this place so many times. I just didn't think it was a well worth it dim sum place. Now from this day on I would say that ........... Yes, I am a fan of this place. Surely, I"ll go back to this place again. I tried the pan fried pork dumplings, at first I thought I wouldn't like it. I actually love it. Never had anything like this from any other place. It's good with the dumpling sauce. Scallion pancakes- it's crunchy although it's oily so I just had some napkins to wipe the oil off from it. It's actually cheap $2.50 for one order. Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns- didn't expect that it will be like that coz I've never had it anywhere. It was hot so be careful not to put right away in your mouth or else it will burn you. I will def go back to this place!
(4)
Donna C.
I really really wanted to like this place. As a general rule, after a full day of traveling dives with cheap, delicious comfort food are usually where I tend to gravitate. Dim Sum Garden looked like it was possibly capable of fulfiling all three. The place is divey. Think fluorescent lighting, rickety furniture and drop ceilings. The food is cheap-ish. An order of soup dumplings (which are pretty good) will run you about $7. An order of pan fried noodles with vegetables (meh) or maypo tofu (eh) will run you about $6.50. If you want bubble tea (I've made better, in my kitchen. Seriously) tack on another $3. The food isn't very delicous. Very salty and kind of greasy yes. I wouldn't say it was delicious though. The soup dumplings were good (To be honest, the name Dim Sum Garden is a bit of a misnomer. They actually have more dumplings than dim sum on the menu. But, I digress) but everything else was kind of meh. The noodles were overcooked and oversauced. The General Tso's chicken was a littly on the mushy side. AND we got charged $6.50 for a small plate of asparagus that we didn't order. I'd probably try one of the many other Chinese restaurants in the area before I ever go back to this place.
(2)
Joyce L.
Stopped by for the high rate review. BUT Xiao Long Bo isn't authentic. :(
(1)
Vinayak B.
Pretty good dim sum place. Definitely recommend the chicken on a stick, scallion pancakes and the juicy buns (xiao long bao). The siumai and the hot and sour soup were ok. Inexpensive as well
(4)
Enid C.
I can totally understand why someone would come to a place called Dim Sum Garden looking for an enjoyable dim sum experience. I mean come on, that just makes sense. But please, do yourself a favor and do not - repeat, do NOT - go in with this mindset. If the words "Dim Sum" were the only things that drew you in to this sketchy locale, responsibly walk your stomach and your wallet over to Ocean Harbor or Joy Tsin Lau (or New York or DC). Three little words that will optimize your dining experience at DSG: xiao long bao. These tender, meaty, juicy soup dumplings are by far the best in the city (though there is not really much competition in this category). Eating them might be tricky for first-timers, so be careful as you do not want to waste a single drop of the glorious soupiness. There is honestly no need to order anything else off the menu (everything else is not exceptional), but if you are dying to have some variety (poppycock, if you ask me), the scallion pancake and some of the noodle dishes are fine. Just be careful not to order the siu mai, as it is not the porky meaty delight you might expect from a traditional dim sum establishment, but rather a little dumpling sack filled with sticky rice. For serious, xiao long bao is all you're going to need. One of the biggest and most heretical party fouls in the history of life is breaking one of these precious xiao long bao before it makes it to your plate. Your heart will sink as you helplessly watch those valuable juices escape from your reach forever. Definitely not a place for fork users.
(4)
Kendra D.
Soup dumplings are wonderful!!
(5)
Kin L.
Even though the food is good, one thing that this place needs to learn is to not rush customers when they are eating. Even though it was towards the end of the night, it's no excuse to do so. I understand the notion of getting ready to close up shop, but closing time wasn't even close. We had two xiao long bao pieces left in the container and the waitress, who had the most expressionless face, came over and lifted it up and asked if we were finished. We said no. She left and came back 5 minutes later and did the same thing, we said no again. So then she asked with one hand on the dumpling sauce dispenser, "Oh, can I take the sauces away first?" Seriously, how DARE she try to take away the dumpling sauces before we finished the dumplings?!? It was just plain rude! Someone needs to tell that girl that tips are earned! It's stuff like that that turns an otherwise good dining experience into a mediocre one. Don't ever touch a man's sauce until the food's gone!
(3)
Herbie H.
It was my first Dim Sum experience, so I had no idea what to expect. For a Saturday at lunch time, it was extremely busy and crowded. Pros: -The food was delicious (we had three different types of dumplings.. I forget which ones.) Very tasty and flavorful. Both of the sauces were tasty as well. -CHEAP! I paid $17 (with tip) for three orders of dumplings/juicy buns and waters for two people. -One of the servers could tell both myself and my friend were new to Dim Sum and instructed us how to eat it (through very broken English). It was a sweet gesture. Cons: -Service was... bizarre. Our waitress came about 30 seconds after sitting down and asked for our order. She convinced us to get one of the dumplings and understood we needed more time to look over the menu to order something more. The dumplings came out quickly and we finished them. Then another waitress handed us our bill.... I guess she assumed we were finished. -Everything was very rushed and hurried. I can't tell if it's because the restaurant does a lot of take-out business, because it was busy, or if it was always very impersonal. -I think I was expecting something a little "classier" or more of what I envisioned to be a typical Dim Sum experience (with the cart, etc.) The food was really good, but the service/atmosphere kind of made the experience only iffy.
(3)
Sophia S.
Since my first visit, I have been back to DSG many times, and it has yet to disappoint. I just wanted to share a few of my menu favorites: -chili cabbage pork noodles, dry (the noodles are house made and the sauce is tangy and savory). The noodles with brisket are also good and have a little bok choy in them. -obviously both pan fried and steamed pork juicy buns. The pan fried ones are huge. The steamed are the soup dumplings where you slurp the broth out. I don't think I've been a single time without ordering these two. -sauteed chinese broccoli with fresh garlic. this is inexpensive and shockingly flavorful. a great way to get some greens. -Moon cake. Its a savory appetizer meat pie thingy. yum. get it. -scallion pancake. Normally at chinese restaurants I scoff at scallion pancake and think its just deep fried bread...but this is different. its flaky and light, and yes fried, but just so good.
(5)
Dean D.
I've been to Dim Sum restaurants in San Francisco and NY's Chinatown and have to say thanks to my fellow Yelper "Veronica X" for turning me on to this place. The food is excellent and I did try the Xioa Long Bao and really enjoyed these little soup dumplings. The server had to do some hands on training otherwise we'd be wearing much of it but they were very tasty! The Chinese broccoli was excellent. I believe they prepare it in a garlic miso sauce. Also recommend the scallion pancakes. I'll be back!
(4)
Di P.
JUICY BUNS. Everybody writes about it and they're right, man. Those soup dumplings turn me on. First of all, it's just amazing that they hold liquid. Thankfully I have above average chopstick skills and I managed to not stab a hole in those slippery and heavy suckers. Secondly, I love how you're so torn between gulping them down right away versus letting them cool. So I basically went for it and had an explosion of hot liquid in my mouth even though my friend kept emoting, "dooon't do it. doooon't do it!!" I didn't care. The pork ball in the middle made it worth it. And the look on my friend's face as soup spilled out of my mouth. I honestly can't remember anything else I ate because the juicy buns was nothing like I ever experienced before. PS don't go to this place for the ambiance. It's placed in one of the shadiest parts of Chinatown and the people who come here feel so transient-- like they accidentally stopped in while waiting for the Chinatown Bus to come. But I like how Dim Sum Garden doesn't try to make themselves fancy. They just embrace it, and provide semi-fast cheap food. But no quarters. Go somewhere for change for the meters or buy a soda.
(4)
Mary L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers who reviewed and raved about this place! I finally found a dimsum place to go to when I'm in Philly. I ordered soup dumplings during lunch break while I was in the city and it was worth every penny. I've been to Jo Shanghai in NYC and have sampled their dumplings. I'm amazed and surprised to admit - Dimsum Garden's soup dumplings are on par if not EVEN BETTER than theirs! I'll be back here to try out their other offerings!
(5)
Ted K.
Amazing soup dumplings. Not much ambience but clean enough (clean bathroom) and waitstaff was friendly. Stick to the Shanghainese dishes though (soup dumplings, smoked fish, shanghainese siu mai - has rice in the filling, different in a good way- and the noodle dishes, espcially the pork with sauce noodle). The regular dumplings were not so good.
(4)
D K.
Location appears sketchy, located at the periphery of Chinatown. Decor is typically spartan. Had their soup dumplings (it doesn't say "soup dumplings" on the menu so just ask and they'll point them out to you). Nice amount of umami and before you know it, you're popping them in bon bons. Also had the spiced beef noodle (dry). Not spicy at all but still very tasty. When back in Philly, I'll be sure to come back.
(4)
Heifer L.
The very first time yelp has disappointed me... I hate to have to make this review but the other reviews are completely misleading. First off, their dumplings were the worst dumplings I ever had. The frozen ones from Costco are 10 times better than theirs. Their appearance speaks volume on their quality of food but I ignored it because of the 4 stars it had on here compared to the other dim sum places yelp listed. The only thing they had going for them was their prices, super cheap but I wonder why?! I left there still hungry because I couldn't eat anymore. My daughter was even feeling sick to her stomach. I do not recommend this place. Its not the usual dim sum where they roll carts to each table. You have to pick and chose from a menu which seemed to only really have an assortment of dumplings. Services was poor and ridiculous. Our server showed no patience whatsoever. We ended up giving our 3 bag full of leftovers to some homeless people.
(1)
Siv L.
Stopped in while in Phila for some dim sum here. Yummy soup dumplings. Loved the shumai which was different than I've ever had elsewhere. We also tried a few other things but those two were the most memorable. Would recommend (however parking nearby is hard to find so we ended up parking in a lot that was almost as expensive as our dim sum!)!
(4)
Sarah H.
Once you've mastered how to eat these delicious soup dumplings without juices exploding everywhere and burning your face off, you're cool in my book. Yeah the underpass location is sketchy, but an inexpensive AND delicious center city lunch isn't perfect.
(4)
Virginia C.
I wanted this to be really good, and I dragged a gf through these dark sketchy allies at night to get here.but these soup dumplings.. EH. 1) Soup Dumplings (fresh, but the fat in the soup dumplings was gross/unbearable). I was just drinking soup/fat/the dumpling had no real flavor). And I know my soup dumplings! 2) Redeeming quality to the meal- The vegetarian steamed dumplings were actually the best! All and all, Yelpers hyped up this place. Disappointed and on the search for my soup dumplings again. :(
(2)
Linda W.
This place is located under an overpass a block away from the Chinatown sign. My friend and I were a little hesitant to walk in since it looked desolate, more like a cafeteria than a dim sum place. However, we did step in and tried the Xiao long bao and the scallion pancake, which both was really good. The service was pretty lacking tho. The man or lady (we couldn't tell which the server was) was not friendly and had a grim face on, but besides from the location and the service, come and try the food.
(4)
Crystal E.
Cheap and delicious steamed pork soup dumplings. My sis-in-law loves the fried version of the soup dumpling. Try both and decide for yourself. The crab soup dumpling is also good, but the pork is better. Other notable favorites are the tomato and egg and pancake scallion. Pass on the Chinese broccoli with garlic.
(4)
Jaime J.
I have seriously walked past this place at least 100 times and never gave it a second look - truly my oversight! This is a clear example of 'don't judge a book by it's cover' or 'it's what's on the inside that counts'. Dim Sum Garden is located on North 11th Street right next to Reading Terminal Market within the 'tunnel' where the bus station is located. The location is less than ideal with all of the noise and exhaust from the buses - but if Anthony Bourdain has taught me anything, it's to expect wonderful things in the oddest of places! Soup Dumplings. #1 and #2 on the menu...also called Juicy Buns...are a must-try! Filled with a light ginger-laced broth and pork filling (similar to what you get in typical pork dumplings) and served with a dark ginger sauce - these little pouches will have your eyes rolling back in your head! We had also ordered the fried pork dumplings - delicious and perfect as well! DSG also offers several rice and noodle entrees. The noodle entrees can either be served dry or as soup. Dry is a bit misleading as the noodles are actually served with a sweet and earthy brown sauce and choice of meat. The sauce has hints of Chinese five spice and garlic. I had ordered the Crispy Duck Noodle. The duck was fried and served with a glaze similar to the sauce on the noodles. The entrees are served with sauteed bok choy and pickled vegetables. We enjoyed our dinner so much, we came back the next day for lunch! I think my next trip will be a meal consisting only of dumplings! DSG needs to make a t-shirt that says, "Juicy Buns"!
(4)
Leslie J.
This place may lack decor, but it is on point with their staple dishes. Shumai is not your typical -- sticky rice surprise! Scallion pancakes are nice and crisp. The handmade noodles are no joke here. You can taste just how fresh they are and the texture is just right. And that dumpling sauce is quite memorable..I don't know what they put in that tasty potion but it is G double O D--GOOD!
(4)
Christine O.
I love me some dim sum!! Especially ones with soup inside at really cheap prices. The place is conveniently located in front of where the big buses from NY-DC stop at so you can quickly get in for a good meal. + cheap prices + soup dumplings (crab or just pork) DELICIOUS + pan fried dumplings are delicious + sauce is delicious + authentic presentation ++ everything delicious!! - only one bathroom - small place Wish northern VA had a place like this... every time we go to Philly, this place is a must go to and we tell all our friends too (they haven't been disappointed).
(5)
Chris W.
This divey place that looks like you want to stay away has some of the best dumplings I have ever had! Place was recommended on chef's feed app and it did not disappoint. They recommended the pork or pork and crab soup dumplings. They were delicious, the staff was friendly enough to tell me how to eat them also and which of the condiments were to be used with what I ordered. Go don;t be scared of the looks of it and enjoy the food.
(4)
JR W.
Okay...I only go for 2 things (sometimes 3): pork soup dumplings pan fried pork soup bun (shrimp dumpling) Although soup dumplings have become synonymous with Shanghai, they are actually offered all over the region in China. The pan fried soup bun is a rare creature, originated and typically can be found only in Shanghai and its outskirts. Anyway, both are really good. The KEY is that you must eat them while they are hot. Take out is a no-no bc the soup quickly gelatinizes. In fact, the owner might berate you if you do not remember this. They prepare everything fresh so the pan fried ones will take at least 15 min, but the steamed soup dumplings are much faster. It's definitely hole in the wall, too busy for the small space, and somewhat suspect in terms of cleanliness (my baby caught a cold bug 2 out of the last 3 times we've gone), but one bite, and you'll understand why we keep going back.
(4)
David L.
Overall, I can sum up with: good Dim Sum. I haven't ordered anything off the menu, and that's not what they specialize in, but for dim sum I don't think you can find anything better in Philly. The matuan (sesame-coated glutinous rice balls stuffed with red bean) were every bit as good as the ones I got most mornings in China, and the siu mai was top-notch. Everything else we ordered was almost as good. The staff was friendly enough, and willing to entertain my poor attempts at quizzing them about the contents of various dumplings in Cantonese. They also understood my follow-up queries in Mandarin, and replied in either Mandarin or English to allow me to save some face. Manager was both polite and tolerant of my chatting with him on the way out. The atmosphere left something to be desired; though it was very "dim sum," it was a little on the drab side. I've been in some truly palatial dim sum kitchens before, and this didn't quite measure up. The food, though, did.
(4)
Loi D.
The food was delicious, but unfortunately the service was really bad. The staff here was completely unorganized. For a restaurant that size there should be more than one person taking orders and seating the guests. Because of this the waitress to our table completely forgot about our order and continued to service people after us. The first thing we ordered was their well known soup dumplings. Before even getting our dumplings other tables were being served theirs. Tables that definitely came in after we did. The staff was so lost at one point we can over hear other tables complaining that they got the wrong order. Tips to help them: Serve your current customers before trying to multitask with seating new ones. The manager needs to help organize the waitress so that the right orders go to the right tables in a timely manner. If the manager can't do this hire a hostess so that it's one less task for the waiter/waitress to handle. Know your own menu. If there's something on the menu that's no longer available, tell the customer that.
(1)
Dianna L.
I'm giving this place five stars for the xiao long bao. Definitely the best I've had outside of china. Don't let it's under the bridge location and glass box look keep you from going in and trying the food. Otherwise, you will be missing out.
(5)
Lynn D.
The dumplings are pretty damn good - thank you fellow yelpers. The inside is pretty decent compared to its location - the lime green paint sort of reminds me of a frozen yogurt place. The service is alright - pretty typical. They take your order, take your money, and bring your food out. They aim to do all of these pretty quickly as soon as you approach the counter. There's not really any leeway for small talk (or sometimes general decency and politeness), but it's best not to take it personally. Since the dumplings weren't going to be filling, I ordered the Peking duck noodle soup. Please, PLEASE do not order this. The broth has no flavor, the veggies were droopy, and the noodles are flat, powdery, rubbery, chewy...I just can't. The duck was good, but that's pretty easy to accomplish, being in the Duck Capital of Philly and all.
(3)
Yvette W.
Most authentic Shanghai dim sum in the city. Reminds me of home! I love coming here on a lazy weekend. It's a great little unassuming place underneath the convention center with amazing traditional Chinese "dim sum". The food here are the types you can find along the street carts or in small "dian xing" restaurants in China. Get the Shanghai soup dumplings and the pan fried dumplings. They are by far the best I've had in the states. The fillings are filled with perfect about of pork to fat ratio. The soup doesn't get too oily. They don't have the rolling carts for dim sum but that's more a Cantonese tradition and this is a Shanghai-nese place. Also try the turnip cake and the wonton soup.
(5)
Christina K.
The only place I've eaten at in Philadelphia that has good xiao long bao, or makes it for that matter. Every time I come here, its good and its consistent. Service is fast and everything always tastes fresh, not frozen. Pretty much a hole in the wall in a delightful location (sarcasm) but they do their job well at delivering good food to many patrons a day. Usually order the same thing every time with variation from here and there. Xiao long bao with pork, or crab meat and pork - soupy and delicious Pan fried juicy pork buns - meaty and crispy Scallion pancake - crunchy and addicting Pan fried chive and pork dumplings - crispy outside and moist filling Shanghai wonton soup - flavorful broth with seaweed and tender wontons Never had a disappointing meal here and love either the vinegar or dumpling sauce mixed with red chili oil. Although the outside looks sketchy and like a corner store Chinese take out restaurant, it is definitely worth it.
(5)
Jemma C.
Yum yum dim sum. This place is beyond cheap, it's practically free! The service was warm and efficient and the dumplings were delicious. We ordered way too much food and yet still managed to get through it all as it was so tasty. $14 each including tip for full bellies? Yes please.
(4)
Wendy W.
Absolutely the best Dim Sum in town!
(5)
Chris W.
Best dumplings in PA. They will change your life and worth the trip every time. I went here with my college friends @ del val college and we took pictures with the owner, who is so humble. Dim Sum Garden has the best dumplings In Pa and is extremely affordable.
Here's another place that I wasn't sure about when passing by. The place is next to the bus terminal and it's pretty much a hole in the wall. Alright, let's go in... Had to order Xiao Long Bao or soup dumpling because it was recommended. The skin/wrap of the dumpling was really nice. It wasn't too thin or thick. The juice or soup of the dumpling was a little too sweet for me. The dumpling is much better than Joe's Shanghai from NYC. The dumplings here were fresh. I saw them making it. This place has an AWESOME scallion pancakes. I like it how it's thin and crispy. I get turned off by doughy pancakes. The sauce that goes with it is really good too. It has a taste of sweetness. Pickled cabbage with pork noodle soup was a disaster. The noodles were overcooked. There was not much of a taste with the dish.
(3)
Kay K.
Came here right before I went back to NYC. It's a cozy spot near a shady bus station. We went around 11 am and the place was empty. The waitress lady was very nice. We ordered pork soup dumplings, crab and pork soup dumplings, pork and chive pan dumplings, and shrimp dumplings. Everything tasted great. But I found shrimp dumplings a little bit on the salty side. Reasonable prices as well. Would return again to try more of their dishes.
(4)
Victor K.
Definitely cheap and delicious. Me with three others ordered two orders of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and four separate noodle dishes for 38.80 and we were stuffed. Definitely well hidden but definitely worth stopping by
(4)
Saman S.
Pretty good, you'll get a decent meal for a good price.
(3)
Millhouse R.
I came back here a couple of days ago and wasn't disappointed. On principal alone, just by serving duck gizzards to a round-eye like me without giving me an argument, this place has earned its keep. The gizzards have a nice salty (they're sprinkled with salt water) and roast duck (as in they were removed after a whole duck has been cooked) and offal flavor. Pan fried pork dumpling with chives were also delicious. Moist, liquid and separate and pronounced chive and pork flavor, the dumpling almost melts in your mouth if it wasn't for the earthy tasting skin, which absorbs some of the liquid. My seafood rolls, although mostly cabbage filled, were also good. A nice crispy and greasy skin surrounds a hearty mess of cabbage. Truly a keeper.
(4)
Pauline S.
I came here recently and it is still a solid place to get shanghai juicy/soup dumplings in Philly (I've tried sang kee's version and it is always soupless). I shared 3 sets of the pork and 1 of crab mixed with pork with 2 other people. I felt like I enjoyed the crab one more but only because I got tired of eating the same pork over and over. Perhaps I would try the vegetable version next time!
(3)
Jess L.
Yes, the decor is reminiscent of a school cafeteria. Yes, it is in the most non-scenic location in the city. But, oh man, I've never eaten anything here that was less than really, really good. The soup dumplings are just about perfect. I tend to get them with the scallion pancakes (delish) and/or the sesame cucumber salad (really nice cold counterpoint to the burn-you-tongue-hot soup dumplings.) So, not a date-night place (unless your date is AWESOME) but some really, really good food.
(4)
Lisa C.
Went here for a late dinner (around 9pm). Xia Long Bao (soup dumplings) were good. Skin was not too thick or thin and there was an adequate amount of soup. The vinegar that they have in the jar is too strong tasting for the XLBs though. Chilli cabbage shredded pork noodle (lo mein noodle) was okay, It wasn't too greasy, which is always a good thing. Hot and sour soup was NOT what I expected. It was NOT spicy and it was NOT sour. It was slightly sweet, perhaps from the pieces of tomatoes they add in there. The consistency was also a bit watery. Price was decent. About 15 for all 3 dishes.
(2)
Herb L.
Haven't been myself recently, but my wife's been a few times, and she says the service isn't as good as previous. The better staff got shifted to their new place Sakura down the street, we think. Any updates/commentary/corrobation of that from folks?
(3)
Rethna E.
Definitely the most amazing place in Philadelphia for dim sum. I tried it a couple months back and now whenever anyone has a dim sum craving, I am so there with them! This is an incredible place with good service and a wide selection and you get so much food for little money! I can see why they do so well! I am so impressed with the quality of food here and how low key it is, and I can see why it is always doing well. Forgive the location a little, it looks a little sketchy but it is perfect and a bowl of comfort when they come towards you with those steaming buns.
(5)
Mike M.
Bus depot. Fried chicken joint. Bum. Wawa. Wait, there's something else on 11th Street underneath that dingy Convention Center overhang... Dim Sum Garden! The main point of our visit was Xiao Long Bao, known to us white people as Soup Dumplings. We got the pork filled ones and loved every bite. They were in the upper rung of Asian dishes I've ever had. We also got the duck over noodles. The duck was cooked really well and the noodles were spectacular. Actually, we started to order the duck over rice but the waitress was kind enough to steer us in the right direction. I've had scallion pancakes on several occasions in the past but the ones at DSG were exceptional, probably the best. The Bok Choy was also very tasty and we got a few other plates that were equally delicious. We were there for dinner on Saturday night and it wasn't crowded but I would imagine this place fills up for the weekend brunch crowd. Ignore the sketch and check this place out! Just look for the one business on this block without the stench of death all over it and you've found it!
(4)
Mimi R.
I am a big fan of steamed soup dumplings. If you haven't tried them before, it's basically a steamed dumpling that is extra juicy. The outer skin should be on the thin side, unlike the regular steamed dumplings that you get from Chinese restaurants. I really enjoyed the soup dumplings here. I read a review about this place and decided to try it for lunch one day. Very happy tummy! ;o) Now, I wouldn't say that this is a good hang-out place or a place to take a date. The decor is lacking. It's not trendy or romantic. Just go there if you're hungry for soup dumplings. Another note, the restaurant is right next door to a Chinatown bus company (not the one that I usually use). So, eat some soup dumplings to fill your tummy and then hop on a bus to New York and have a night out on the town! It's only 2 hours each way ... I haven't tried anything else on the menu. When I do, I'll revise my review.
(4)
Howard C.
Great food, service and value. The place is small and there was a line of people waiting for a table, get there early to be sure to have a seat. I would however HIGHLY recommend them to anyone and will definitely be back.
(4)
Shannon M.
I've been here twice and while I agree with the other reviewers that this place is definitely a hidden gem, I don't think my experience has been that amazing. Maybe I'm not ordering the right food? Both times I've been here for lunch take out. The first time I ordered the Shanghai Wonton Soup which was a massive portion full of wontons and only about 5 bucks. I thought the soup tasted great but could've used some hot sauce to spice it up. The second time I was here I ordered the pork dumpling soup. This time my experience wasn't so great. I found the soup to taste overwhelming of seaweed. It had a very fishy taste to it that I wasn't expecting. I also asked for hot sauce that I never received. Next time I go back (and I will go back) I'll have to try something the other reviewers suggest.
(3)
Jenna M.
So good! Scallion pancakes!! Damn! Lots of vegetarian options...I'm going to have to go back many times so I can sample everything. Yum! Very unassuming on the outside...kind of looks like a dive...but once you get in you see that the place is very clean and the people who work there are super friendly. They're also really good at getting you to order more food. Those pumpkin cakes were a delicious addition to our meal.
(5)
Zach Z.
Great food even though the restaurant looks sketchy o the outside
(5)
David F.
I can't believe there is this little unpolished gem right in the middle of Philadelphia that I've walked by about 100 times and never stopped in because I judged it by its appearance (shame on me). Not anymore, thanks to Sam and Elisha who showed us the light and taught us how to order and eat these perfect little soup dumplings that are pockets of joy. Yes, be careful that you don't bite right into them because the smoking hot soup contained inside the dumpling will explode into your mouth and cook your palate. Sam explained how we needed to open a hole and drink the soup on a spoon and then smother the dumpling with this amazing hot pepper oil that was so good I purchased a container full of the hot oil to take home (I also ate some the minute I got home). We also had the scallion toast which was also very tasty but was a little greasy but not enough to take away from the crispy little goodness it contained inside. The steamed dumplings were good (I can't say I ever had great steamed dumplings but these were good). We also had another dumpling that I can't remember the name (Sam, help me out?), but that was also a very tasty dumpling. Ahhh yes, thank you Sam, it was the Sui Mai Dumplings that I couldn't remember but my taste buds sure do and I really did like them. But nothing compares to those soup dumplings with the hot pepper oil smothered all over it. I was chowing down on that so feverously that Sam and Elisha had to stop and tell me I had soup and hot peppers dripping off of my chin and goatee (I know girls, hold yourselves back from all this sexiness that is me. I know the grease dripping off the chin is a real turn on and almost compares to Jim's dribble). The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I haven't had the full menu and I'm reserving stars just in case. The appearance of the joint gets a zero, but that is part of its charm (it keeps all the touristy ass wipes out). The soup dumplings get a 10 star from me. I'll be a regular. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to embarrass my girlfriend on this review but I just remembered that she went to the bathroom and overflowed the one and only toilet. Now she says she didn't drop a deuce and just peed but it doesn't matter. The person who overflows the toilet is still the culprit, especially since it happened BEFORE we got our food (thanks Lindsay). As a result of the overflow everyone had to hold their pee until the next bar (which was a mad dash to the toilet..... like a pack of racehorses when we got there). Thank you Sam and Elisha for the new discovery.
(4)
Joylynn H.
This is not your typical push the cart dim sum place. Poor Philly for rating this place an overall 4 star, when it's a big disappointment. However, the soup dumplings was a pleasant surprise.
(1)
simone H.
A true diamond in the rough. The dingy fast food looking exterior is quite a deception to the incredibly authentic Chinese dishes inside. The crab/pork soup dumplings are a must, and the sweet soy sauce in the porcelain jars on the table are a perfect accompaniment. I found the best way to eat their soup dumplings with the least amount of wasted juice is to place the dumpling onto a spoon, bite a tiny hole on the side, let it cool, carefully sip the juice, pour soy sauce into the hole, and take a bite. Divine. The braised beef over noodles or the understated eggs and tomatoes over rice make perfect main course. Dishes are full of flavor, but not too greasy or heavily sauced. Amazingly cheap, and although not the ideal place for a first date, it's perfect for dinner with a few friends.
(5)
Michael B.
Shanghai Steamed Buns. Try to say it out loud, without snickering. Just try. Done laughing? Good, now go order some from Dim Sum Garden. For those of you who haven't had them before, here's the way to eat them. Bite the top off, blow inside to cool the soup down, and then drop in some sauce (if you so desire). Pop the dumpling into your mouth. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. Eventually, Nirvana will be reached. The other food is top notch as well, and I'd recommend ordering a side of some sort of veggie with the dumplings.
(5)
Nikita K.
I'm allergic to gluten so I can't eat the dumplings, which they are known for. So I always get the minced pork noodle (dry with rice noodle) and it is absolutely delicious!!!!
(4)
Caroline V.
You go here for the food, not the ambiance. It's under the tunnel a couple doors away from Wawa on Arch, next door to the chinatown bus terminal, but it's worth the visit. Cheap tasty food with fast friendly service. Once you sit down you'll notice 3 different containers of sauces to use with your food (fave is the ginger vinegar sauce & the hot chili!). And they'll bring you hot tea (as expected for an asian restaurant) We always order the soup dumplings (only place I've found these in philly) and the scallion pancakes (soooooo good). On a cold day, the soup dumplings are the best thing, make sure you have a soup spoon at the ready b/c once you bite in, hot soup will come gushing out (you've been warned). Great cheap find and despite the area, I've taken my mom and she loved it! It's all about the FOOD.
(4)
Steve M.
Ok Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) subpar level compared to joe's shanghai in nyc/flushing but it's the best philly can offer right now. the rice dishes and noodle soups are not worth getting. it's kind of an embarrassment to put out these kind of low quality rice dishes and noodle soups. But if you crave some soup dumplings this is the place to go in philly.
(2)
M H.
This place is amazing... I am a foodie and i love asian food. This place is a bit of a hole in the wall, location may seem a bit strange (it is right next to the china town bus station); but, its def the best dim sum in town. I should say that if u are looking for traditional american-style Chinese this may not be the place for you. BUT if u are looking for the real-deal dim sum this is your spot!
(5)
Evonne L.
disclaimer: this place is right next to an underpass in what looks like a restaurant that should be attached to a gas station. thus, it is not called high class dim sum garden for a reason. once you keep that in mind visit this place (in the daytime i would reccommend) and actually taste the steamed soup dumplings, you'll realize that its not too bad. i'm giving this place 3 stars SOLELY on the soup dumps, in which good ones are actually hard to find. thin skin, juicy but not greasy broth, and tasty meat center is what i'm talking about. this is definitely a good cheap eats place, but don't expect mind blowing amazingness.
(3)
Ally D.
Agreed on the xiao long bao soup dumplings. Very tasty and definately would return for those. But I warn anyone from the West Coast coming here to feel like SF/LA Chinatown home. I think she said this is "Shanghai" dim sum. I might have the location wrong but regardless the differences are huge. First and foremost, a shu mai is more like a dumpling with sticky rice and a bit of meat (rice ball), not pure pork with a shrimp on top. The Har Gow uses tiny tiny shrimp and no ginger, so it ends up tasting like a really cheap version of Har Gow. The onion pancake I think I've had better; it was more dense than I like. The pork potstickers were ok. We got a noodle dish that was pretty good with a nice tea flavor to it. Overall, if I didn't have expectations for tastes of home or didn't know better I wouldn't have been so disappointed. But I feel like a lot of Philly Asian food reviews are done by people who don't know better. Coming from SF, there aren't exactly a ton of Asians here.
(3)
Samantha H.
There is not much I can say about Dim Sum Garden that hasn't been said before. Every time I go I get those phenomenal soup dumplings. (Or, if you want to sound smart and cultured, xiao long bao.) Absolutely out of this world, so tasty and fun to eat too. I'm glad I read how to eat them before visiting, though, or I imagine I'd be totally lost. The trick is to bit a small hole, suck out the soup, and then eat the dumpling. Even with this method I usually end up spilling a little. Just adds to the fun though! Of course, I can't ignore those scallion pancakes. Perfectly crisp and tasty and well complemented by the dipping sauces provided on the table. I have no idea what either of them are, but both are really good. I like sticking the dumplings in them after getting the soup out too. I like taking a friend or two to split these with otherwise I will seriously gorge myself. Not that I don't otherwise. So next time you maybe just got out of a show at the Troc or have a good twenty minutes until your train arrives at Market East but your tummy's grumbling, skip the toasted ravioli from WaWa (though that's good too) and stop by Dim Sum Garden. Probably the same price, too!
(5)
Annie M.
I take it back! When they're on, they are on! hehe YUMMY xiao long bao!
(4)
Markie J.
Amazing xiao long bao as I've been deprived of this for ages. How sad for I to be living in this city and not having gone to this restaurant. A little cozy place for a date, as my boyfriend took me here. Great for those who are Mandarin/Cantonese speakers as the selections suit Chinese-Americans' taste buds a little more (just IMO). The service was good but it was quite busy for a Sunday brunch. Though, if you expect this to be a five-star restaurant, rethink again because you have to be quite loud and make sure you are heard as they are again, busy. Again, I recommend the xiao long bao, because the skin is really soft, yet it holds in the soup and filling really well. Just don't burn your tongues on them because they can get quite hot. Btw, the Restaurant's name is quite misleading and the place is kind of isolated from the rest of Chinatown. It's not in the best location but be reassured - you'll get your money's worth. It's not expensive either! I'll be sure to return another day. Enjoy :) (Crude, Yelp doesn't post Chinese words. Ha, this is my first review ^_^.)
(4)
Jason K.
My first time experiencing Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), and I have to say that I was ridiculously impressed! The place is located right next to a bus depot, and is not much to look at from the exterior (or interior for that matter), but the service was prompt & friendly, the food was piping hot, and the bill was CHEAP! Great combination if you ask me! Other highlights, in addition to the Xiao Long Bao included the vegetable steamed buns (perfect "doughyness"), scallion pancakes, and so many steamed dumplings (with pork filling) that I was ready to burst! All in all, definitely a place I'd recommend...and will be visiting again!
(4)
Bethany P.
I ran into this place for a quick lunch while attending a conference because everything else was jammed. Because I'm not a big fan of dumplings (I know, it's illegal, my fiance can not understand it) I ordered a noodle dish, thinking you can't go wrong with a noodle dish in an asian restaurant. What came out was basically egg noodles with little bacon bit like pieces of pork. I ate about 4 bites, and then went the rest of the afternoon being hungry. If you are going to come here, make sure you stick with the dim sum. However, given how many Asian restaurants there are in this area, I'd have to assume you can do way better.
(1)
Anna Marie C.
every time my family and i are in taiwan, we make multiple trips (sometimes on the same day) to din tai fung which is, arguably, the best place in the world to have soup dumplings. so suffice it to say, i'm kind of a soup dumpling snob. so imagine how excited i was to find a place in philadelphia that served soup dumplings! alas, alas, my excitement was soon abated, as the dumplings arrived, with slightly too thick skins, and pork meat that was a little too fatty. i would have given it more stars, but the meal got worse. noodle soup? go to nan zhou instead. their dessert soup with tang yuan was pretty much inedible. if i must waste my calories in eating chinese food with way processed white flour carbohydrates... it better be good. the only highlight? the scallion pancakes. but i've had ones that tasted just as good coming out of a frozen box.
(1)
Julie F.
As others have stated, this place doesn't replace Lakeside Deli (tears), but it is delicious in its own special, meat-filled way. My friends and I ordered a couple of dishes and shared them - trying to replicate that dim sum feeling. Traditional pan-fried pork dumplings were perfectly cooked, with nicely flavored juicy pork bursting out. The plain sounding cucumbers were marinated in something mysterious and delicious! Get them (you'll also feel ordering a vegetable will negate all the other unhealthy greasy doughy stuff). The scallion pancakes were more-or-less what you're used to but a bit more fresh tasting and not too mealy or doughy like some I've had. Grease City though. There were some kind of sticky rice shumai we ordered which were okay, not my favorite though. My favorite, not shockingly, were the soup dumplings. I like any food that requires thought. How do I get the soup out of the dumpling? How do I not burn my tongue with scalding broth? How the heck do they get the liquid in the dumpling, anyway? The broth was so tasty! You bite a little hole in the dumpling and then slurp out the broth. Yeah, you might not want to come here on a date - it's not a cute look. Delicioso. Best part - four people stuffed their pieholes for a grand total of 23 bucks. How the heck can you beat that?
(4)
Shirley Y.
My favorite here are the shanghai steamed dumplings (soup dumplings). Only place in Philly that I know has these and they are so heavenly and juicy and go well with a little chilli sauce and vinegar (ginger) sauce. The noodle soups and fried dishes are decent. There are a lot of dishes and specials that aren't on the menu that are pretty good. My mandarin speaking friend was able to order us some good authentic chinese dishes, several that suprisingly for me I have never tried before. I've been here several times and always found the service to be good. All the ladies are nice.
(4)
M M.
Today was my first time here based on Yelp's search and reviews. The scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious, best served with the dumpling sauce (for me) The Shanghai soup dumplings were also great, but watch out for the hot soup inside! I wasn't a big fan of their Wonton Ho fun soup and their triple steamed dumplings. Next time i come here, i think im going to order all appetizers.... and many orders of scallion pancakes and soup dumplings YUM
(3)
Vanessa H.
Based on two visits. Friendly service, good soup dumplings (great soup inside, mine were a little drier on top than one might want), and cheap. The location sucks unless you're waiting for a Chinatown bus, and there are flies. If I walk by some time, I'll stop by to try some of the other dumplingy things.
(3)
Melanie B.
take it from someone who has grown up eating dim sum pretty frequently with family... this is the worst, dirtiest dim sum I have ever had. there were obvious shrimp shells in my dumplings. everything was greasy. there is no ambiance and everything is served on plastic plates. no carts of food. the service is slow and unfriendly. hipsters flock here. do yourself a favor and pass on this one. go to 11th and race at lunch time and grab some dim sum from joy tsin loa. you won't regret it.
(1)
C Q.
This review is for the soup dumpling only - We got 4 orders of the pork soup dumplings ( or juicy pork dumplings) and an order of the scallion pancakes. The scallion pancake were good. The pork soup dumplings were really good. It had a lot of soup, the "skin" was thin and the flavor were great. I did not give it 5 stars because one of the soup dumplings had some pink stuff in it. We think it was not cooked through. We spoke to the wait staff. She insisted that it was crab meat (she said it was for extra flavoring). My kids are mildly allergic to seafood, so it was alarming to hear that they put crab meat in the pork soup dumplings. But then they didn't show any symptoms of the allergy, so I guess it's all good. I usually eat the soup dumplings with some young gingers and vinegar. The restaurant will provide the ginger if you ask for it. The ginger was not quite young enough and it was a little too thick. It is a small store located across street from Hilton near the Chinatown bus stop. While some people feel it was not a very safe location, I can only say that I don't feel any less safe there than anywhere in the surrounding area.
(4)
Matthew L.
What I really like is that the entrance to this is in a tunnel. It makes you feel like you are privy to some secret, and are entering the bat cave. Really simple location, read "not very glamorous". The soup dumplings are great. (Side note, I always burn the crap out of my tongue and can't taste them, so I might be off on the taste). What I like is quick in, quick out no fuss all for a similar price to fast food. That alone makes it shine.
(4)
Perpetual K.
Located in the ghetto version of the bat cave - I hit up this place often for lunch when I journey to Chinatown and usually walk away satisfied. I always get the soup dumplings and try a different dish each time I visit. Sometimes the soup dumplings are great and filled with broth and sometimes they are so-so with several empty broth-less dumplings. More often than not though the soup dumplings are pretty decent. They used to offer different sauces to eat with the dumplings but as of recently those have disappeared (disappointingly). Other dishes on the menu include various meats-over-rice and handmade noodle dishes (with or without soup). I would stay away from the meat-over-rice dishes - it's nothing special. The handmade noodles are good and will warm you up nicely on a cold Philly day. I would say the soup dumplings and the handmade noodle dishes are the specialty of this joint. Prices are good (not the cheapest in C-Town but still better than most of Philly). Service can be spotty (especially when it's busy). Best for people who don't mind eating inside of a tunnel.
(3)
Yoko S.
this is my favorite dim sum place in PA. crab suop dumpling is really juicy and taste good!! it is very closed to grey hound bus staion so before take bus or whe get off bus, i do take out, also bubble tea are very good. i like honeydew bubble tea,
(5)
Kim V.
Soup dumplings are a tad bit too doughy. Giving three stars because it could be better
(3)
Angie C.
I loved their soup dumplings and scallion pancake! The fact that their dumpling dipping sauce is amazing is a major plus!
(5)
Nadine K.
In the dead of winter, I wanted soup dumplings, and yelp led me to them, at Dim Sum Garden. It is to yelp I return to sing their praises. A soup dumpling is exactly what it sounds like: it's a fresh dumpling with soup and a nugget of dumpling filling, usually pork or seafood or some combo of the two, inside. It's dumpling soup turned inside out. On a blustery, cold day, it is heaven. Go to Dim Sum Garden - as far as I know they make the only soup dumplings in Philadelphia. Ignore the total lack of atmosphere and the dingy floors. Pay no attention to the eau de bus emanating from the idling Chinatown bus just outside. Order the #2 Steamed Buns w/ Pork & Crab Meat ($5.75). There will be a longish pause, and then a tray of eight soup dumplings will appear. Have both chopsticks and spoon at the ready. Use the chopsticks to gently, carefully lift a dumpling. The hot dough will stick to the dumpling beside it; the chopstick points will threaten to tear the thin membrane. Do not let this happen. Settle the intact dumpling on the spoon. Delicately nip off the top of the dumpling and at the same time slurp out some soup. It is hot and very rich. There is a covered blue and white cup on the table labelled vinegar. Drip a little of this dark vinegar into the dumpling. Its acid will cut and complement the rich broth. Eat the dumpling in two or three more bites. Repeat. I had assumed soup dumplings were an eat at the restaurant kind of food, but tonight I couldn't quite bear the lousy atmosphere, so I performed the to-go experiment. I also ordered scallion pancakes ($2.50) and Beef Brisket Noodle ($5.50). All made it home intact and quite tasty. The pancakes were acceptable, if nothing to write home about. The Beef Brisket Noodle was almost fantastic. I swear the noodles were fresh, and the brisket was tender and deeply flavorful. But the brown sauce, while yummy, was far too salty. I still ate it, of course, but the salt flavor lingers in my mouth.
(4)
Annie A.
Simply the best. Their Shangai Soup Dumplings complete me.
(4)
Ann V.
Hmmm... soup dumplings were interesting. When i took my first bite, the broth inside came pouring out and burnt my tongue. I'm not quite sure what i think of this place just yet but I suppose this place is decent. Will have to give it another try one day.
(3)
Karen C.
As delicious as I remember! Xiao lung bao are juicy and scrumptious. Best scallion pancakes that I have had in a while!
(5)
Steven W.
has the feel of an expanded take-out restaurant. Although they don't offer the full variety of dim sum that is available at traditional large restaurants, they do have a good variety. Their steamed pork juicy buns are made fresh and are perfectly cooked. Scallion pancake is crisp and not doughy at all. Food is also very cheap!
(4)
J G.
Don't let the sketchy underpass loiters and Chinatown bus crowd outside the restaurant deceive you! This is one of the best and cheapest dim sum restaurants in Philadelphia. The soup dumplings are some of the best in Philly. If they don't have something you want on the menu, ask for it, because they'll make it from scratch. The cashier and owners are from Beijing, so you'll get better service if you speak in northern Mandarin to them.
(4)
Felix L.
Talk about false advertising! So first of all, the restaurant name is misleading, so if you are looking for traditional dim sum, prepare to be disappointed. My friend and I ordered two orders of the shanghai dumplings (xiao long bao), and they were mediocre at best, even though they were plenty juicy. The siu mai wasn't made of pork and was oddly shaped. The beef noodle dish was unappetizing, and I don't know if that is a function of being fully fed or fully fed up with the service. While seated at the small, elevated table that's already pretty cramped for space, our server forced our dish onto the table, fully disregarding the lack of space. As a result, he spilled hot tea all over my friend and all over his Blackberry and digital camera. He did apologize profusely and I think he genuinely felt bad, but yikes! Also, since there is no waiting area and the restaurant was surprisingly packed throughout lunch, we felt watched the entire time. That's no way to dine! If this is the standard for Chinese food in Philly, you can't pay me enough to leave Cali for that. Ugh. Blackberries can be replaced, but the horrible memory of this "dim sum" experience can't. Oh well, at least they tried!
(1)
Shanna M.
An absolute must for anyone coming or going on the China town bus. While the depot is directly next door, a trip here will make certainly put a smile on even the most frustrated of travelers. My boyfriend and I split the Soup dumplings and the braised beef noodles it was more than enough for the both of us and all together cost $12. Can you believe that! Yeah me either! True the place does look like a typical corner Chinese food store, but I promise you once you get over the initial shock, this place will become one of your go to stops for quick, cheap and delicious food in the city.
(4)
Franz E.
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Is absolutely right. If the nearby drug clinics gave away Dim Sun Garden's soup dumplings as a means for recovery I am sure we would see less drug addicts in the streets. Why? Because these dumplings are super addicting, they are really good, and really cheap. I came into this joint yesterday, and I always walked passed it going to work and disregarded the place because of the restaurant's location, underneath the PA Convention Center inundated by carbon fumes coming from the bus depot directly adjacent to the restaurant. BUT first impressions can definitely be deceiving because once inside the restaurant I found the place very clean, the staff was professional courteous to my questions, and everything on the menu is under $10 (not that it matters because soup dumplings are the draw of this place). I decided to order the pork soup dumplings for $5.25, that's right folks for the price of a McDonald's UN-Happy Meal you get these juicy soup filled dumplings of joy. THE BEST PART IS THE FLAVOR! These dumplings are legit. I mean authentic really flavorful rich pork flavor. I am definitely coming back to this place to try out more of their ridiculously addicting food. I am hooked because as the yelp rating indicates "its as good as it gets" at least in Philly.
(5)
reviewer m.
Based on the reviews from Yelp I was interested in Dim Sum Garden. I can confirm that it is located in a slightly seedy location under a bridge/station and the atmosphere is interesting with the neon glow of lights. The interior is pretty dingy and dirty but nothing too out of the ordinary for Chinatown (but we did see a small spider that joined us for lunch ON our table). I would highly recommend this place ONLY for xiao long bow. We had bok choi, beef noodles, eel soup and fried scallion pancakes from here. All the "dim sum' dishes were bland and actually bad. The veggies had no taste and we pretty much added hot sauce to everything. The bows were great. Not as good as this one place called Joes in NY but pretty good. The prices were very good. As mentioned, you can't taste the crab but still good and juicy. I have come back a couple of times and have tried their dishes but from now on, I'm only getting the bows from there. I give it three stars because it's pretty dirty in there.
(3)
William S.
Do yourself a flavor and come here for the soup dumplings. Not the crab ones, just the plain jane xiao long bao. And that's it. I repeat: order one xiao long bao, eat, and bid your adieu. You have no other reason to stay. Unless you're waiting for the Chinatown bus.
(4)
Raequel S.
i had always walked by this place and wondered... should i? i mean it looked kinda sketchy and all...but last night i met up with friends before going to an awesome Echo & The Bunnymen show at the Troc around the corner and i've become a believer! even though the surrounding area IS very sketchy (and smells like piss all the time) this place is quite bright and clean. the service is okay, though there is a more than slight language barrier. the menu is very interesting and being that they specialize in dumplings and other standard dim sum fare - it'd be a shame if you come in here just for a regular order of fried rice. i wasnt familiar with the food, but i was curious and chose the Napa and Pork Dumplings, and the chicken dumplings. also since i was in a group we shared our orders among each other and i fell in love with the scallion pancakes that my friend had...omg i didnt know how much i loved scallions before i took that first savory bite...sigh... also, another good, no GREAT thing about DSG is that it is BYOB...the tea cups we had were perfect to sip the beer we brought (cause you know we likes to keep it classy like that *wink*), the tea wasnt that bad either though i'm a such a gaijin that i would have liked to have gotten sugar packets to put in it. the most expensive things on the menu were 10.50 and thats for a shrimp entree. you get the dim sum experience without having to flag down a table and much less hassle. they serve chopsticks but you can get a fork if you are unable to use them (looks embarrassingly at her shoes). they have to-go options as well so you can have that a good cheap lunch/supper while you are trapped on a Greyhound or Chinatown bus (both depots very close by) so in conclusion...do NOT judge a book by its cover - forego the wawa hoagie and get your pre-game on at Dim Sum Garden before a Troc show, plus if you polish off your BYO Brews you save $$$ at the bar for overpriced drinks and tips. one of philly's best kept secrets!
(5)
Oski B.
As we walked up 11th Street from Market, the first thing I saw was "Wings" in neon in the window and thought that our friendship might be in jeopardy. As we got closer, I realized the restaurant was right next door to one of the Chinese bus terminals and I thought for sure that this would be our last meal as friends. She swore that it would be tasty so I followed her in. Although I glanced at the menu to get a sense of what they ordered, I deferred the ordering to my Taiwanese friend. As a brown friend once told me when we were at a Korean restaurant, "you order here, and I'll order when we got out for Indian." Fair enough. Sadly, we ordered too much food so we started to feel a bit overwhelmed by the end. To make matters worse, our server had forgotten to put our xiao long bao order in so we had to rush through them at the very end as we were already late to meeting some of her friends. We asked the server to cancel our scallion pancake which he didn't give us a hard time about. I look forward to trying it again when we aren't as rushed. For a hole in the wall in a sketchy location, this is a great find. Leaving with our friendship intact was another bonus.
(4)
Alicia L.
The dumplings are definitely the highlight here. I enjoyed those and I was very glad that I went with a friend who suggested we order them and split them. However, the rest of my meal was pretty terrible. I didn't see much on the menu that stood out so I played it safe with shrimp fried rice, because its hard to mess up shrimp fried rice you would think. I was wrong; it was tremendously bland and the shrimp were rubbery and overcooked. The restaurant itself also felt kinda dirty, and service was alright until we wanted the bill...it took them forever to bring it to us, and then forever to bring us change. I might go back just to get dumplings, but I would be cautious about ordering anything else.
(2)
Lan G.
Love the duck tongue there! :D Also, do try the fried dumplings. They make it well!
(4)
Jose A.
My girlfriend loves this place, very good soup dumplings and everything else for that matter, a must see/eat at hole in the wall dumpling spot, love it, love it, love it!
(5)
Zachary D.
For decor, Dim Sum Garden gets roughly 0 stars. But, the food is really good. The chicken dumplings are some of the best dumplings I have had in North America. The Bok Choy was well prepared in some tasty butter sauce. The vegetable buns were a bit dry. The vegetable dumplings were good.
(4)
Jing G.
I came here again yesterday on my way to NYC and my boyfriend and I had lunch here. This time I ordered the vegetable buns plus the scallion pancakes and the unagi over rice. Everything was less than $5 a plate and it was so delicious and filling. The very same kabayaki unagi over rice in any other Japanese restaurant costs almost close to double the price (unadon).. but here it even comes with some bokchoy on the side! All yummy and in actually we ended up getting way too much food. When I come back, a single order of veggie buns for me and an order of the steamed shanghai dumplings for the boyfriend would be more than enough. That's lunch for less than $10 for two. Can't get much better than that.
(4)
Dung H.
The rating is for the soup dumplings. Really delicious! esp when it's still hot so eat it before it cools down, without buring your mouth though. It's a perfect soup to meat filling ratio. Plus, its fun to eat! I'm really glad that its close to where I live in Philadelphia. I'm not sure where to even find this back in in Maryland.. or DC. PLUS, as in most of my reviews.. I have to mention the price (I'm on a budget, remember??) It's super cheap! 8 dumplings for like 6 bucks I think. YAY! Pretty filling too... enough to share. So good, my best friend and I came back two days in a row for these things. The name of the place is a little misleading, I think. Sure they have dim sum items on their menu but its not served dim sum style with the carts and all of that. Not what I expected when I got here: small restaurant with a few table and chairs, a carry out style place. Sanitation is typical of the Chinatown area... can't really expect more with the prices... COME for the soup dumplings!! It will definitely be worth the trip!
(4)
Angela E.
My lunch-buddy and I are always on the prowl for cheap eats and were happy to discover Dim Sum Garden's soup dumplings. Not only are they cheap, but for a little over $5, you get eight dumplings filled with delicious broth. I'm not saying it's fat free because once the broth began to cool, you could indeed see the congealed grease, but that's common with soups and/or gravies, right? Hey- I don't complain! I walk away with a belly full of delicious hot pork, broth and spare change. You'll also get hot tea and in and out in record time! I've tried other dumplings, too, and have been pleasantly surprised, but I keep coming back for the "juicy" dumplings. Warning: Poke a hole in the top and let them cool before shoveling the entire thing in your mouth- don't be dainty, eat it whole or you're wasting your time!
(3)
tony c.
Their Shao Long Bao is pretty good. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT let it get semi cold. It greases up very fast. The liquid is a rich pork broth with some spring onion taste. Couple this with vinegar and finely sliced ginger, it's the perfect combination for a late afternoon snack. Some folks get a 2:30pm black coffee, when in the philly chinatown area, I get a quick shao long bao order. Their onion pancake was again alittle greasy. I used some napkin to suck up the BP spill, and it was pretty crunchy and flaky. However, i would discourage in getting the Pan-fried pork bun. It had way too much grease and the breading was just too chewy. It wasn't thick (which is a typical problem) but the breading was just too chewy. Like I said, in the mood, Dim Sum Garden is perfect for a greasy spoon spot! -2 stars for the oil and bouncy pan fried pork bun.
(3)
Larry L.
Ever since I went to Joe's Shanghai in manhattan years ago I've been looking for a place in philly that served soup dumplings/ juicy buns/shanghai buns whatever you want to call them. My search has ended. Pork and crab juicy buns are excellent. The marinated pork is also very good too. I just wish they had more buns to choose from. Thanks so much to the Philly yelpers for helping me find this place!!
(4)
Carrie C.
As you have already probably heard from other Yelpers, their xiao long bao completely rocked my world. They are perfectly made with nicely tender yet chewy skins thick enough to hold the soup and meat inside, the pork filling and soup are amazingly flavorful...pretty much everything about this soup bun is perfect. I would recommend sticking with the classic pork-only xiao long bao, as the one with the crab has a barely noticeable crab flavor. I have tried a few other of their dishes, none of which rocked my socks the way the xiao long bao did. The beef noodle soup was only okay--a little bit too salty for my taste. The wonton noodle soup was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. The chive and pork dumplings were a little lacking in the flavor, but still yummy. I would recommend trying their pumpkin cakes (on the specials board) if you're a fan of lotus paste because these little cakes are chewy, sweet, and delicious. Overall, hands down, the best, most satisfying, most comforting meal I have found thus far in Philadelphia. I always get something else along with the xiao long bao just for variety, but the soup buns are what I truly crave from this place, and they will keep me coming back frequently.
(4)
John B.
Probably not the best place for lunch on a really hot day -- the walk back to the office was a little uncomfortable after snarfing down the amaaaaazingly good food. Never been disappointed, and I'll sacrifice a little comfort on the walk and a notch in the belt for this place anytime though. My one concession to the heat was that I didn't get a big bowl of soup this time. Soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are awesome as always, the turnip cakes were delicious as well, and I enjoyed sitting where I could watch them making food in the kitchen. The place looks divey from the outside, near the Greyhound terminal. The food is NOT divey at all. Trust me (and the other reviewers).
(5)
Josephine L.
Soup dumpling review only: Stop #2378 of long weekend Philly food tour brought me and the boy here to try what Yelpers proclaim the best soup dumplings in the city. Now, of course, I have not had every soup dumpling in the city, so I cannot be unfair to the other little soup dumplings and say Dim Sum Garden's is the best. It is, however, on par with the best soup dumplings I've had in Boston and some decent ones I've had in Toronto (Asian food heaven). Not as good as Taiwan, but is anything? (The answer is no). The pork and crab meat dumplings are larger than most I've had and the soup is hot and flavorful without being too greasy. The filling is tender and succulent and the skin is thick and chewy. Eight of these babies in and you'll be ready to pop soup yourself.
(5)
Mark L.
Love this place for its soup dumplings (i.e. shanghai steamed buns). Forget the rest of the menu, location and ambiance. Just go chill out with some friends and enjoy. Perfect place to frequent with the SO for wknd brunch or late nite. Also perfect for a quick no-frills meal place in chinatown/convention center area. I may be biased because this was one of the first places to have decent soup dumplings in Philly five-six years ago. Other places may carry it now but I'm still partial to the no-frills original.
I've been reading about this place for a while and finally got to try Dim Sum Garden. Looking forward to the famed soup dumplings, I was sorely disappointed. They were pretty much like all of the other dumplings in Chinatown. The rest of the meal was okay, if a little salty. If you're really looking for phenomenal soup dumplings, check out Yang Yang Express in Upper Darby.
(2)
Tatyana M.
We've read so many good reviews here about this dump and are sooo SORRY that we believed them. Staying at Hilton Garden Inn right across the street we thought that it's a good idea to have a brunch here. That was a BIG MISTAKE!!! First of all I don't understand why they put the word "garden" in their name, because the smell of urine from the outside bus stop follows you in and makes you think about public restroom rather then a garden. Well, so much for the ambiance... Now to the FOOD: shortly said it's the most disgusting Chinese food we've ever tasted. Don't take me wrong. We LOVE all kinds of Asian cuisine. We LOVE soup dumplings and everything connected with the words "dim sum". BUT THIS WAS THE YUKKYEST food we consumed of that kind. The dishes they brought to us looked NOTHING LIKE the pictures of them that's were were hanging on the walls. They were bland, tasteless ( in some parts of dough wraps dried out) and unappetizing looking. Service was OK. Well, If this is what some people call "the best soup dumplings in Philly" then we can't imagine what would be the worst. BTW all through the day (it was Saturday) we had to pass it by couple of times and saw mostly empty room there, which shows how popular this place is. We don't appreciate these misleading reviews and try to worn people from repeating our mistake. This restaurant in our opinion deserves 0 stars.
(1)
Hubert L.
located next to the 'chinatown bus' stop, it looks like a chinese take out spot with all the lighted pictures of general tso's and friends above the counter. nope. this place only serves the real deal northern chinese food. and no, they don't even have dim sum. gottem! get the xiao long bao. these are the real deal. fresh, soupy, and steaming hot. the regular dumplings (boiled or pan fried) are also so very fresh. they use freshly made wrappers too. noodle dishes use freshly made noodles as well. basically, everything is fresh and home made, like mom made it. assuming your mom is chinese, that is.
(5)
Greg R.
Soup DUMPLINGS says it all. This place was my first experience with these amazing soup filled buns of goodness. The staff does not speak english well so its best to know what you want before you go or just point it out on the menu. I suggest the pork soup dumplings (steamed buns), Scallion Pancakes, and a noodle dish served dry. My friends have not had good experiences with the soups so I would avoid that. You may also want to get a drink from the fridge as the water looks questionable. Also note that they generally serve all your courses at the same time which is weird but you can be in and out in under 30 minutes which is great. The interior is nothing special and the outside bus station area isnt exactly desirable but the soup dumplings make that all go away. If your up for trying something new this is your place without spending a lot of coin.
(4)
Ellena S.
**Vegetarian review** DSG is best known for their xiao long bao, which I introduced my boyfriend to, and he loves. Unable to partake because I'm a vegetarian (sadly.. used to love XLB, as my dad is from the Shanghai region), I tried two menu items: 1. Steamed vegetable dumplings. These were filled with vegetables, little bits of tofu, and a couple thin, vermicelli-like noodles. These were good, filled much better than most dumplings in the US, and the wrappers were nice and thin. A couple dumplings were a little too dry, but what I really loved was the "dumpling sauce" - a sweet soy sauce that I couldn't quite place, but was great (they also have the standard vinegar with ginger slivers and chili oil). 2. Cold cucumbers. A dish I love, their rendition was good but a little too salty. Prefer the one at Su Xing. Yes, it's crappy, literally a hole-in-the-wall.. but Philly's gems are often in unsuspecting places. DSG is great for those who want to try soup dumplings, and not shabby for veg-heads, either.
(4)
Perry A.
The xiao long tang bao (soup dumplings) brought me back to the summer i spent in Shanghai, teaching english to aspiring teachers. Of course, in the PRC, you could get a large basket of the dumplings (around 18 per basket) for a mere $.60 US, and they while didn't have the soup in the dumplings, the trademark thin skin and juicey gingered pork within were spot on at Dim Sum Garden. With the demise of Lakeside, this has risen to the top of my personal go to places in C-town. Also worthy of rtying are their scallion pancakes (a little greasier than I'd like, but nice balance of dough and scallion flavor), storemade noodles (I get it dry) with either their red cooked chicken or eel. My kids love their fried dumplings (guo ti). The counter service is friendly enough, but they do less well when they are busy.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Probably my favorite place in Chinatown. I was very depressed after the closing of the Lakeside Chinese Diner. But, a colleague introduced me to this little gem. Ok, so it is behind a bus station and it isn't classy or sophisticated. BUT so delicious. There are so many great things here. We had a 6 person business lunch here for $45. Yes, $45 and we were STUFFED. I recommed- * The Shanghai Steamed Buns * Vegetable Steam Buns * Scallion Pancakes (the best I have ever had anywhere) * Dumplings * Stewed Chicken and Rice and the Vegetarian/Tofu dish (I can't remember the name at the moment). It is all delicious. I can't say enough great things about this place. Just a piece of Dim Sum heaven!
(5)
David C.
Four stars are specifically only for the steamed buns, which are really good, and the price, which is really cheap. Every other aspect of this place, from ambiance to basically all the other dishes they offer, is not good. But since you can have just the steamed buns, it's great.
(3)
Shannon O.
I love going here for brunch and getting an order of soup dumplings and the pork and chive pan-fried dumplings. It costs less than $15 (with tip!) and feeds two people to the gills. DELICIOUS.
(5)
James T.
Flew into Philly on the 4th of July and couldn't get my usual post flight meal at Tony Luke's (closed for the holiday). I searched for "pork" near city hall ( I've heard of a rival pork sandwich place in the Reading Terminal Market and thought that this would be a good opportunity to give it a try...also closed for the the holiday!? A major tourist destination and it's closed on one one of the busiest tourist days in Philly...and they say we west coasters are "laid back") and this name popped up. You don't usually think of flying from SF to Philly for dim sum, but SF isn't really very strong in the XLB department. So I wanted to give it a try. Not a mistake. The place isn't as pretty as say Din Tai Fung in Arcadia, but I think the food is as good, cheap, and the people working there are are super nice. Had kind of a weird mix of things because it was super hot (well, coming from SF 90 degrees feels like the "end of days", or what ever ...dang what was that thing that those wackos expected to happen a couple of months ago...the recycling? the r- something, sorry I have a hard time keeping up with all the wacky shit the snake fondlers dream up). But to get back on track it was all really good, cheap, divey, and I was super happy with the place, thus the 5 stars. Oh, and please excuse the abuse of the word "super".
(5)
Paige W.
I'm sorry to rain on this Yelp parade, but this one disappointed me enough to pull up the Yelp account after a bit of a hiatus. Not that I should be listening to Craig Laban, who rarely sides with my palate, but after another endorsement from a food reviewer friend I had to check this place out. I can live with the shabby setting, and can even look past the steel wool carelessly tossed into a corner to keep away the bus terminal critters. But I was really expecting some killer street food. It lived up to the cheap part, but that's about it. As someone who doesn't eat beef or pork, it shouldn't be terribly hard to find something on a dim sum menu considering that I'll eat chicken, seafood, and just about everything else. But this wasn't really dim sum after all. No carts stacked with yummy round things - just a menu which reads reads like a swine slaughterhouse. I asked the waitress if there was anything on the menu without pork and she pointed to the beef. So much for the soup dumplings I'd heard so much about, but my husband was able to try them and said they were pretty good. I ordered some vegetable buns which were pretty good with the sweet dumpling sauce on the table. But things quickly went downhill with a bowl of soup the consistency and color of phlegm. And , no, not egg drop soup where that is expected. This was some sort of indescribable goo dotted with raisins. It was just like the dish the mother served in "Better Off Dead "which slid off the plate. The noodle dished came out smelling strongly, and not in a good way. Fortunately they didn't taste quite as bad, but that isn't saying very much. I liked the consistency of the homemade noodles, but the chicken was clearly that ubur-cheap stock, cut haphazardly with no concern for bone, fat, or otherwise. In fact, when it came out I was pretty sure they had mistakenly given me beef. But it was chicken after all, akin to the mall-food-court-grade chicken-on-a-stick but minus the deliciously sweet secret food court sauce. So maybe there is more there for the pork eaters who can savor those illustrious soup dumplings. But for me, and my notoriously not-picky partner, the only time that terminal will see me is on the next Chinatown bus to New York.
The soup dumplings are the best in in Philadelphia! Their soupless noodles are also fantastic. Both dumplings and noodles are handmade and worth the trip.
(5)
Sean M.
I just moved to Philly after 7 years in San Francisco, so my soup dumpling standards are high. Dim Sum Garden has phenomenal soup dumplings. They call them pork buns or something like that (top of the menu). Pork soup dumplings, crab soup dumplings, you can't go wrong. They are out of this world. Also, the food is super cheap and the staff is very nice. Go there. Now.
(5)
v h.
Great low-key lunch place. They have inexpensive & tasty rice dishes, and the scallion pancakes were thin and had lots of scallions. The duck with homemade noodles was the highlight of our meal. While the soup dumplings were good, they don't top Joe's Shanghai. Don't be fooled, it's not real dim sum!
(3)
Amber B.
Dim Sum Garden is really food and cheap. Out of town friends and I stopped in, and not knowing what to have, we asked the waitress for suggestions. Tons of tasty dishes later, the juicy dumplings, vegetable buns, and Chinese broccoli were our favorite. We left very full for less than $15/person. I will be taking my next guests.
(4)
Le Raccoon X.
dim sum garden is the best! so delicious & affordable! i make a point to not eat out often, so i've never really enjoyed a relationship with a restaurant that involves face recognition & meaningful greetings. but the lovely ladies of DSG recognize me. and they are lovely & always ready to serve my "usual": 1 order of soup dumplings (#1 suffices) & 1 order of scallion pancakes. there have been many occasions when i required 2 orders of dumplings. and once, after a particularly exhausting day at work and taiko class, i consumed 3 orders of dumplings and 2 orders of scallion pancakes. i still weigh 115lb. i've tried the "juicy buns" at sakura and the magic kingdom in philly chinatown as well as joe shanghai in manhattan chinatown, but none of them can beat DSG's dumplings. the main difference lies in the dumpling sauce & hot pepper. (the ginger sauce is yucky, but hey, whatever floats your boat) ohhhh. (this is the sound that homer simpson makes when he drools) if you can't handle spiciness, have no fear! the dumpling sauce alone is still amazing! the dumplings are soft & succulent. full of fat, yes, but delicious, almost-worth-dying-for fat. to avoid breaking their delicate skins, i often pick them by the nubs, place them on my soup spoon, pick 'em up again and rub their bottoms in my sauce & pepper mixture, then promptly replace on my soup spoon. then i swoop in for the kill. the scallion pancakes are crispy and pair oh so perfectly with the dumplings. DSG serves many other dishes, but i've never been able to wean myself off the xiaolongbao. my friends & colleagues have always been pleased with their rice & noodle dishes, so go ahead & explore! but no matter what, definitely try #1 &/or #2!
(5)
Pearl W.
This is my first review ever but I have to share so others know that we (my 5 year old daughter) found a live worm, it was not even dead, in the Xiao long bao or Shanghai dumpling. After that we lost our appetite but did not make a scene and tried to eat the other items we had ordered. The waitress took the dish with the live worm away with a sorry and that was it - like it happens often. So when we got our bill they didn't charge us for the order with the worm but I felt we should get at least a discount or a dish for free or really the entire meal for free. So when I went up to the counter to pay I requested for ONE dish free and got excuses. She said that the worm was live so it must have come from the table because it would have died during the cooking process. After trying to explain that we lost our appetite after we saw the worm she had the nerve to say that we weren't going to come back anyway so I guess in other words we should pay for the meal. I ended up paying for the meal since it didn't seem worth arguing anymore. I'm more upset at the customer service than the worm.
(1)
christina h.
this is by far the best noodle soup i've ever had and ive tried em all. i love noodle soup and just stumbled upon this place hidden in the nook of 11th st. and intersecting dead end cuthbert. right past the bus station. they have 2 different handmade noodles a wide variety of meets and veggies u can add to ur noodles w/ or w/o soup.and homemade steamed dumplings..this is goood food
(5)
Marissa E.
Dim Sum Garden looks like your average hole in the wall Chinese place, and for extra hole in the wall cred it's in the weird tunnel on 11th Street next to one of the Chinatown bus stations. A part of me wonders if I'd be so blown away if Dim Sum Garden were in a slightly nicer location, because the contrast between the location and the amazing food is so startling. We were told to pick a seat and the waiter kept filling our mugs with hot green tea. i don't think my mug was more than half-empty for the entire meal. He also suggested the veggie dumplings, which I didn't get to try, but that's on my list for my next visit. I met a friend here last night for a late dinner before a show at the Troc. I had only intended to split a few orders of dim sum, but we ended up getting noodle soup as well. The soup dumplings were, as always, delicious, and it's fun to see a newbie try to eat them without getting soup everywhere. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, probably some of the best I've ever had. My friend got the duck noodle soup and I got the vegetarian one. His had huge pieces of duck meat; mine was full of bok choy and pickles. I would have liked a little more variety in the veggies (and more of those delicious pickles!), but the bok choy was super ripe and crunchy, even after sitting in the soup. I found the broth to be kind of bland, but that was punched up by a healthy helping of dumpling sauce and a spoonful of the chili sauce at the table. (There was also a ginger sauce, but I didn't like it that much.) This enormous amount of food for two people came to - wait for it - $21. The only thing better than good food is good food for super cheap, and that's why I love Dim Sum Garden.
(4)
Bob L.
This "interesting" eatery gets three stars simply for the soup dumplings. I've ordered many other things on the menu and frankly most of their dishes other than the delicious soup dumplings aren't worth it. I will say though that the dumpling soup is fairly good. The Eel soup, though, was bland and forgettable. Forget about ordering ahead either. It's basically the luck of the draw if you get soup dumplings...you may get them right away or have to wait 20 plus minutes for a new batch.
(3)
AJ C.
We just ate here about an hour ago, after reading all the wonderful reviews we just had to try it....so we drove an hour from DE and came out so disappointed, we were scared by the facade but that was expected, so, we still went in. Parking in the area was $24...which is not sooooo worth what we went there for. If you were only there to eat the soup dumplings then you'll be satisfied, however, I also ordered the general Tso's which tasted like an orange chicken and our friend ordered a wanton soup that tasted like water. He should know good food, he's a very good cook! Needless to say, next time we come back here we'll be visiting Wokano again.
(1)
Dawn R.
Not exactly my ideal of a dim sum restaurant, this was never the less a perfect place to stop and get lunch. While our initial waitress obviously was still in training and working on her English, she was supported by a number of friendly, helpful coworkers who seemed genuinely concerned about our experience. The wonton soup was perfect for a nursing a hangover. The crab dumplings strangely liquidy and very hot...a bit challenging to eat. Best of all was the price. Very affordable and tasty.
(3)
James M.
I travel across town just to eat there. Fresh dim sum, made while you wait -usually 10 minutes or so. No matter how difficult they are to eat, the juicy buns are amazing. Between them and the pan fried dumplings, I can't bring myself to order anything else off their menu. Little skill or care was put in to the boxy, fluorescent space, but the staff is lovable -and if you can't stand to eat there, they serve to go as well.
(5)
Brandi E.
Dim Sum garden is my favorite Shanghai restaurant that I have encountered as of yet in America. The highlight of the whole place is the xiao long bao also known as soup buns. For the uninitiated these are buns which are delicately made with thin shells and filled with steaming hot soup which consists of pork and broth. They are to die for but one must also be careful not to have the hot soup squirt out on them which can sometimes be a difficult task. This place has the best soup buns I have had since I have been to Shanghai. I am serious about this as I have been to Flushing and Chinatown and not found any as tasty as these. They are succulent and flavorful and warm you up from the inside. Now let's tackle the rest of the menu. The menu is really trying to cater to all tastes. It has traditional Shanghai dishes to Americanized Chinese food and just plain Fried Chicken with French Fries. The dim sum items are definitely the highlight. The aforementioned xiao long bao are the best and available in both pork and pork with seafood varieties. The pork dumplings and siu mai are also good and some of the better I have had. The scallion pancakes are definitely worth a try as well. The pork with sauce noodle is also a favorite of mine and very flavorful. Some of the other foods are great and some are just average and you do have to pick carefully. I would also recommend the beef brisket and the mapo tofu. The more Americanized you go the more likely you will be disappointed. Be sure to check out the daily specials as there is always stuff that is not on the main menu. Recently there has been this soup which is good I think it is a sweet hot and sour soup though they described as a minestrone. It is good and quite unlike anything I have tasted though there is an excess of broth. The noodle dishes are all great as the noodles are all handmade. You can really taste the difference. So if you are deciding between rice and noodles, go for the noodles. Many of the dishes can also be served in a soup form with the noodles submerged which is also quite good. Overall there is a lot of variety to please most anyone you bring with you. Next, the pricing is amazing. This place is giving McDonald's a run for its money. Most main dishes are under $7 and the portions are quite large. I would be shocked if you spent more than $20 on a meal for two and left without leftovers especially since there is no alcohol. Actually the drink selection is limited to tea or soda pretty much. The food generally comes out pretty quick so it's a good place if you are in a hurry. The staff is great. They try their best to be helpful and make you feel welcome despite the language barrier. They started to remember me by the second time I had come there which is impressive. I still remember that I came in once when it was empty with a few people and they were doing food prep on one of the tables. The immediately started to clean up and move to the back room and asked us to sit there. We said it wasn't necessary but they said it was the biggest table and they insisted. It's moments like that will make you feel welcome somewhere and go beyond what is normally defined as service. Seriously the people who work here are some of the nicest people I have met a restaurant and that alone makes me want to keep going back. The location is awful. It will put a lot of people off. It is a weird area under a tunnel. There are a lot of shady characters outside at times due to the proximity to the bus stop. However, in addition to being located next to both the Chinatown and Greyhound bus stops, it is conveniently located close to Reading Terminal Market, the Market East Station, and the Convention Center. I actually first discovered it wondering around after the flower show. Once again, you literally feel like you are underneath a bridge somewhere about to do a drug deal by the time you reach the place. Okay I'm exaggerating quite a bit but I have taken people there and they seemed a bit hesitant. It is safe though really. The interior leaves a lot to be desired. It is eerily lit by the excessive neon in the front windows. The furniture is all from IKEA and the wall is painted in an attempt to look more modern. There are pictures of food above the cashier counter that does not highlight the breadth or best parts of the menu. The place is very clean but feels damp due to the location being somewhat cave-like. There is a TV playing asian music videos which are often quite amusing. The place seems a lot nicer from the inside than the outside. Don't let the location or the restaurant's appearance put you off this really is a diamond in the rough. Dim Sum Garden will leave you pleasantly surprised and craving more. I can personally attest to this as I keep coming back for the food and the people.
(5)
Thomas A.
I absolutely love this place. Yes, the decor is bare bones, and the location leaves quite a bit to be desired, but if you ever hoped that a restaurant would put aside its efforts in 'atmosphere' and overhead and just concentrate on the food, than this is it. I've been here about a dozen times, and I always start with the Shanghai dumplings. I'm a former chef, and still haven't the foggiest as to how they get the soup into these tiny dumplings. Pieces of heaven though. Their noodles are all hand made and perfect; I brought my brother here who's been to mainland china several times, and even he agrees the noodles are exquisite. Perhaps I have the advantage of being treated as a frequent customer, but their service is great. The same girl at the counter always greets me with a smile, and knows me well enough to not even give me a menu - she just gets me my dumplings and whatever is fresh that day. You can have a 5 dish dinner here and barely spend more than $20. For the quality of the food, this is a steal. Having said all of this, let me add that they use MSG rather unapologetically. I'm alright with that; I don't encounter MSG in many other places, so I allow myself this occasional diversion from my eating norms. Try it, you won't regret it.
(5)
Nancy W.
Dim Sum Garden was a welcome surprise. We were looking for a quick bite to eat before the Philadelphia Flower Show and found out about Dim Sum Garden here at Yelp. The pork and chive dumplings were the best I've ever had, soup dumplings were great, beef noodle soup was so-so, scallion pancakes good but a little bland. This is definitly a take-out, dive atompshere, but they had table service and the whole experience was a satisfying adventure.
(4)
C K.
went here for lunch, got like 4 dishes. first was the wine chicken... which was interesting because usually they do not drench it with wine... but it wasn't bad, nothing spectacular though. 2nd dish was the sui mai.. which was kind of bland 3rd dish was the #1... shanghai steamed buns? this is prob the best thing about this place. It is alot better compared to other dim sum places in china town. 4th was minced beef with rice.. which wasn't really what I was expecting.. it was not that goood. if you want shanghai steamed buns however.. come to this place
(3)
susan o.
i've left philly for western shores and boy do i miss the food. really. if i lived in sf, i might be okay but i live in the redwoods 2 hours north and the only "asian" restaurant in my town serves "sushi and burgers" . emmmmm i thinks i shall pass. so, that being said, my return trip to philly shall be based on the 3 f's - food, family, and friends (and goddamnit yes! in that order!) high on my list will be dim sum garden. ahhh i want a soup dumpling NOW! i want hand pulled noodles NOW! i want scallion pancakes sooo NOW! gimme triple steamed dumplings or i might cry! i'd like to think its a hidden gem but who would we be kidding... craig laban gives it bells up and the last time i was there in the summer, iron chef jose garces was having a business meeting with his chef buddies over dumplings. turns out he's a fan too. plus 100+ positive yelp reviews? as everyone has said, do not be fooled by linoleum and neon. do not question yourself with sanitary concerns (hell... its an open kitchen... that makes it 1000000x cleaner than just about anywhere else in c-town). just be freakin stoked that you can eat beyond contentment with leftovers for $15 (tip generously people!!! those girls are super sweet). and goddamnit stop taking away points cause this isnt "traditional" dimsum. for chrissakes, sorry you cant have rolling carts with dumplings and sticky rice in banana leaves. INSTEAD, you can dumplings that are cooked when you order them, scallion pancakes that have the best crisp ever, and your option of dry or soupy noodles. word of warning for the cilantro haters... YEAH they garnish their soups with a touch of cilantro. thankfully nothing like pho spots, but we quick to grab that sucker outta there before real soup contamination can happen. even with that in mind, i give it enthusiastically 5 stars.
(5)
Kristine F.
Spent an afternoon going from restaurant to restaurant in attempts to find some kind of replacement for Lakeside (RIP). You can almost miss this place, it's tucked away under a parking garage on a dark side street. The scallion pancake was good, the soup dumplings were great, they have some very nice sauces on the table that are also tasty. I would definitely suggest that if you are looking for Shanghai Dumplings (soup dumplings) that you stop in and try this place. We had good service and the prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Sharon W.
Sometimes, I can't believe that this place is in Philadelphia. I've been to places in San Francisco and New York, and I truly believe that the taste of the Xiao Long Baos here are comparable if not better. The soup noodles and the onion pancakes here are not bad either. The area seems a little sketchy on the outside but once inside you'll find a clean eatery.
(4)
John S.
Has the best dumplings I ever had.. Get Pork Soup dumplings and scallion pancakes. They even have chicken feet! As far as the service, they only have about 6 dumpling steamers, so you might have to wait a little for your steamed pork juicy buns, but its worth it. they have the best dumpling ginger sauce and chile oil. gotta go here, its almost better that the reading terminal market next door!
(5)
Mike D.
Some of the best dim sum I've had. All the dumplings are superb. The fried tofu over rice is magic.
(5)
Laura P. L.
The Juicy Pork Buns are a must! The scallion pancake is the best I have EVER had. The only think holding me back from 5 stars is that they don't deliver on grubhub. The place has no atmosphere- but who cares? It's incredibly delicious! The hand pulled noodles in soup with duck are amazing too! The best part- it's very inexpensive!
(4)
Cindy L.
My favorite Philly restaurant! My friend took me here. I was a bit surprised with the location, since it's under a dark bridge. Luckily, we were able to get a table. It was quite crowded. We ordered Shanghai juicy buns, wonton soup, wonton noodle soup and pumpkin cake. Some of the best Shanghai juicy buns I have tasted. It was flavorful and juicy. Surprisingly, the wonton soup and wonton noodle soup base tasted different. Both were well seasoned. I love the pumpkin cake. It was slightly crispy on the outside, chewy, with warm red bean on the inside. My friend is from China, and she raved that this was authentic Chinese food. Meal was reasonably price, and service was pretty decent. YUM YUM!
(5)
Tammi T.
My colleague who's a local brought us here for the awesome xiao long bao. It's not a fancy place but really good and juicy xiao long bao at a reasonable price. Will definitely come here again the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Brian H.
no cart, but that's ok! i've been here at least a dozen times and will definitely continue coming back. the service is somewhat inconsistent, especially for such a small place - it's hit or miss whether or not the tea is refilled quickly or the check is delivered at the end of the meal (i usually just go up to the counter to get it) but i can overlook those things since it is really cheap (and in those cases i just tip 15%, whereas i usually tip 20%). whatever as for the food - my girlfriend and i have never ordered any of the proper entrees/noodle dishes, rather we usually order steamed juicy buns - yummmm (only once were they not amazing since they were served on the cold side), some assorted steamed and pan-fried dumplings (good) and other random stuff including shumai (sometimes the wrapper is a little too thick), scallion pancakes (ok), triple steamed bun (not great/too bready for me), seaweed salad (ok, but once we received it and it was still a little frozen) and either hot and sour soup (once too gelatinous but other times delicious) or the chili cabbage soup (not bad for $1.50!). long story short - a little inconsistent, but they're cheap and the food is pretty good.
(3)
Karen Y.
this place has chinese food done in true casual chinese dining fashion; quick and to the point. the xiao long baos are fresh steamed and full of rich broth. not as good as what i can find in the so cal dim sum mecca of monterey park/alhambra, they are still quite delicious and 8 of them for less than $6, it's totally worth the trip down here for an order. i also ordered some low bok gow for my son and they do not makes these in the traditional cantonese way of pan fried squares with bits of pork and dried shrimp. instead the turnips are shredded and encased in a deep fried pastry. though completely unexpected, it was plenty tasty and my son had no complaints. while they are missing the appeal of the roaming carts, it's nice to have made to order dim sum as another chinatown option.
(4)
Mary K.
Yum I had the pork and chives steam dumplings. I wish I was more hungry/had more company, but it was only me on my adventure in Philly and this definitely hit the spot for some steamed dumplings. Will definitely stop by next time
(4)
Irene M.
Very disappointed with this restaurant :-( The Yelp rating is 4 star! The noodles with soup, shrimp dumpling and soup dumpling are not that great. The egg roll is okay. The only thing that was great was the service. Sorry... but we'll go back to the restaurant along Race Street next time we visit Philly Chinatown again.
(1)
Chi-Chi S.
my co-teacher/girlfriend usually came here for late night snack when we volunteered as ESL teachers near Chinatown. Their house made noodle is superb, and you can hardly go wrong with anything on the dim sum menu. and the biggest advantage: soooooooo inexpensive, as is the principle of nearly all places in Chinatowns.
(5)
Shengjun H.
Ok, wow. I am so glad that I don't live in Philly, because if I did, I would live in this restaurant and eat Xiao Long Bao every hour for the rest of my life. Then I could guarantee myself a happy death. First, a few clarifications. Dumplings here - what I assume everyone else is referring to - refer to the first two things on the menu. Shanghai style (as opposed to the smaller and less juicy Taiwanese Ding Tai Fun style) Steamed Pork Juicy Buns are what the English (Chinglish?) menu refer to them as. Those are what you need to order. Not the dumplings. You want the Juice Buns, Juicy Buns, or Juicy Burns - they don't discriminate over spelling. Purist? Get the first thing on the menu. Like seafood? The second. Love everything fried? Get the third. Xiao long bao are meat dumplings with a thin flour skin shaped like large upside down turnip and a large amount of delicious broth inside. For the first two, which are served in a large (!) metal steamer stray, very gently separate the dumplings from the paper and cradle them in your soup spoon. Take care not to break the skin... if you do, you'll see the delicious soup drip into the steamer, far away from your yearning mouth. Blow on it to cool it, because it will otherwise burn off your entire mouth with its blazing heat. Then blow again. Seriously. They're that hot. Then, gently bite through the skin and delight in the porky (and crabby?) amazingness that will fill your mouth. For the third fried variety of Juicy Burns (ironicly accurate), there will be less juice inside and a thicker dough skin to stand up to the fryer, but there will still be juice - so don't spill it! You can get the other type of dumplings too, but if you do, you'll miss out on the best that this place has to offer. Good Shanghai style xiao long bao are rare in America. Not to say that the rest of their food isn't good! Their Scallion Pancake is solid, with a nice flaky crust and minimal grease. The wonton soup is solid, the dumpling soup was ok. I wasn't super impressed by the plain dumplings here, but I'd imagine that they are better fried than in the soup. They also have Shanghai style ShiuMai, which are essentially steamed wonton wrappers around a combination of soy sauce drizzled sticky rice, shiitaki mushrooms, and pork. They're not the best on earth (uh... Shanghai's are better), but they're worth a shot if you've never had them before. Their drinks are good too! The bubble tea and watermelon smoothies were delicious, though they took a while to come out. The staff is nice and friendly and their hours are long enough to tempt anyone on their way home at 10:30. Not to hate too much, but if you compare anything in this place to Costco, then you should've asked the servers to recommend something for you. There may be sub-par things on the menu, but it takes special skill to pick out something that actually tastes bad. I would know. Within two days, I had tried about a quarter of the menu and wasn't disappointed by anything. And lastly... as it seems that I could go on about this place forever.... this place is dirt cheap. Less than $4 for a good soup, less than $6 for a good sized soup with noodles to share, less than $7 for ten xiao long bao. I could live here forever and not even run out of money. Swoon.
(5)
Chelsea M.
I love this place! I've been going here for years. They have good customer service and I love the waiters and waitresses they remember us. We always get the dim sum soup buns, dumplings, the peaking duck and the scallion pancakes. great dim sum if your in the area.
(4)
Colleen M.
I've been to Dim Sum garden a few times - it's my favorite go-to when my mother and sister and I go to the convention center for an event, and is generally a great inexpensive lunch. But last night just sealed the deal for me for this place. My husband and I were celebrating a special occasion, and were going to use a gift certificate to go to a much fancier Chinese restaurant, but much to our dismay, the certificate was nowhere to be found. Still feeling the need to celebrate, now with a solid Chinese food craving, but not a lot of money in our wallets, we decided to go to Dim Sum Garden. We found out that it was BYO - how did I not know this before? So we grabbed a bottle of wine and drove to the restaurant. Before, service has always been so-so - not AWFUL, but certainly nothing to write home about. This evening, we ended up wanting to try new things, so we asked the waitress what the best menu items were, and then chose all her recommendations. Holy Hannah, this meal was DEELICIOUS. And our server was conscientious and helpful, and helped us pick more food for us to take home for lunches today. And the whole bill, the dinner with some leftovers and some extras for lunch the next day, came to less than it probably would have been for one person at the other restaurant. I was actually glad that I'd lost the gift certificate by the end. Not really. But it definitely took the sting out of the whole incident. The perfect meal for me here is now: cold marinated sliced pork garlic sauteed spinach shredded pork noodles pork soup dumplings scallion pancakes
(5)
Serene F.
Ghetto looking as hell but solid, delicious (and greasy) Shanghainese food. This is one of the few places in Philly where you can get hot soup dumplings that are not previously frozen (at $3 less than NY prices). Also try their noodle soups - large portions and not heavily dosed with MSG. So cheap, you can feed the whole family! Plus, kitchen looked clean and the waitress was polite - a rare find in Chinatown hole-in-the-walls!
(5)
J B.
Best vegetarian steamed buns anyone has ever and will ever make in the history and future of vegetarian steamed buns. Nice employees. Freaking amazing. Quick.
(5)
Julie W.
Although the owners of this place have moved on to what's now known as THE Dim Sum Garden on Race St., the dumplings here are still delicious! Pork and chives and pork and napa - you can get them panfried or boiled. We've also tried other small dim sum dishes (no carts here); I remember the soup dumplings were pretty good but the spicy tripe was just okay. Come here for quick eat-in or take-out. The atmosphere will likely deter you from entertaining out-of-town guests here, but there's never a wait and the food is very solid for the price. Cash only.
(4)
Jennifer T.
I have always made fun of the florescent "WINGS" and "DIM SUM" signs in the window when walking to RTM and Chinatown... this place looks like a complete joke from the outside. Then, in 2008, I read the Craig LaBan article praising soup dumplings at this sketchy place, located in the PA Convention Center underpass. Upon further investigation, aka the google, I realized soup dumplings were a big deal in NYC, but impossible to find in Philly. Dim Sum Garden is small, bright, and Ikea-filled. The two employees that are always there are SUPER friendly. They love hearing compliments and take an empty dish away with a smile, knowing they've filled your hungry little belly with good food. When I first started going here in 08, there would maybe be 1 other table dining in. Last night, every table was full! Get the steamed juicy buns (duh) with crab & pork, a side of bok choy, and any other dumplings or the noodle dishes. Don't waste precious stomach real estate on rice dishes! The handmade noodles are awesome, albeit a bit on the greasy side. I always get them with "no soup" aka dry noodles because I get my fill of soup from the juicy buns. Nibble a little hole on top, slurp out broth as loud and obnoxious as possible to garner a laugh from your dining partner, put a splash of dumpling sauce on top, and gobble up the dumpling. Repeat 8 times (that's how many dumplings you get per order), eat some noodles, get reeeeeally full, pay your insanely cheap bill, and go home happy. PS - thanks Craig LaBan! Who would have thought.
(5)
Phil T.
Tread warily, for navigating the path towards Xiao Long Bao, the dumpling delight, requires both diligence and daring-do. Should you manage to find the camouflaged cafe hidden in the shadow of the 11th Street tunnel; if you muster the courage to enter one of the dingiest dine-ins you have ever beheld; and even if you dare to order Xiao Long Bao, the bite-sized bun that bites back, you must still master one more challenge in order to avoid what would only be an "epic fail." The eating. Grab quickly and the dumplings will split open. Consume them whole and your mouth will be burned. Let them cool and the dumplings grow inedible. However, if you delicately place one these savory, soup-filled pork dumplings in a spoon, nip off the top, blow on the soup, wait just a moment, suck out the soup one sip at a time, and then devour the remnants, you will have experienced what can only be considered one of the finest dumplings in the city. Grab a few trusty comrades and split a few orders of these fun yet frugal delicacies. Do not let the location fool you; Dim Sum Garden is a palace.
(4)
Richard P.
Food is really cheap. The rice was very dry. The place lacks decor. Come here if you are looking for a cheap meal.
(4)
Rachel H.
I'd totally go back! Overall, for the price and the portions, it was great - nice hole in the wall. If you're looking for carts and dumpling pushers, you've got the wrong place - if you're looking for soup dumplings and good food, you've got the right place! The soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are hot and soothing - a little sip of soup inside a tasty dumpling - we got the the pork and it was great. We also had buns, cabbage dumplings, and a soup each. It was just over $20, which was a more spendy lunch for us but it was a great choice. I'm jonsing to go back!
(5)
Tala T.
Several weeks ago the Count and I along with a few friends went on the Free Tours by Foot Chinatown Food Tour. We walked through Philadelphia's small yet historic Chinatown stopping by at the best spots for quick eats. The tour ended with a sit down lunch at Dim Sum Garden. I have walked by this spot without bothering to look twice only because it is under the convention center overpass and I wrongfully must have assumed that it could not be good given it's dark location. Wrong! Now onto the actual dumplings: our tour guide knew a thing or two about dumplings and ordered a few rounds for the table. I have never had a soup dumpling (xiao long bao) and found it to be such a treat. There is an entire process to having a soup dumpling. You must gently place one in your spoon. Place a hole at the top to allow the hot steam to cool off and place the whole thing in your mouth without spilling the contents on the inside. Essentially it's soup wrapped up in dough served with their own special dumpling sauce. Okay. That was great. Whats next? Next was the Shanghai siu mai- sticky rice and minced pork dumplings. These were also a first for me and were a real treat. Sticky rice with small bits of pork all mixed with a delicious sauce and beautifully bundled up into a dumpling. We also had the prawn dumplings, pork and chive dumplings and many other varieties of dumplings. One was better than the next. Best part is you know its fresh and handmade as you can see through the back counter where all the action is happening. It's cheap dumpling at its best. Don't be put off by the neon lights and interior facade. This is a place where you can satisfy your dumpling cravings not to go people watching (unless you enjoy watching suffering panhandlers and other characters on 11th street).
(4)
Dan C.
DSG, I love you. I always thought that you were some sort of shady hotel for weary Chinatown bus travelers supported by neon columns of light. Part fantasy world and part depressing-looking food. But holy cow, you are so delicious that I want to hug you forever. Why didn't you tell me earlier how delicious you are? That your pork buns are full of delicious juice? That I almost said, "screw it" to the fishballs because your broth was so good? I am coming back for more scallion pancakes, fried to a crisp. I will be in the loving slushy embrace of your fruit smoothie with tapioca. Just you wait, my credit card will always hit that $15 minimum, but I know that if I were feeling cheap, I could pay you in cash and walk away a fuller and not-so-much-poorer man.
(5)
Sun Y.
Really disappointing. The xiao lung bao and fried xiao lung bao were good, but everything else was not very good. The scallion pancakes were ok. Probably would not go back, didn't like the atmosphere.
(3)
Derek G.
While in Philly for a few days during the storm, I ate here 4 times. Not just cause it was one of the only places open, but because the food is that damn good. Those soup dumplings are the business! Don't sleep on the beef brisket with noodles either. Some of the best Chinese food I've had.
(5)
Connie S.
No-frills dumpling joint located in the sketchy Chinatown bus pick-up area. Most people pass this place and dismiss it upon first glance, but if you love pork buns/dumplings there is no better place in Philly to find them. Dim Sum Garden is all about the pork. Other meats need not apply. And that's fine with me - I'd happily eat their Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings, aka Shanghai dumplings) and Sheng Jian Bao ("pan fried juicy pork buns," as the neon paper specials sign dubs them) every day for the rest of my life. Sure, they have alternatives, veggie and chicken dumplings, etc., but you'll only get that rich soup filling with pork. The noodle bowls are substantial in size, but nothing to write home about for the soup content or quality of noodles (although I do think the wontons are made in-house, and those are tasty). The menu has respectable non-meat options, but nothing that will have vegetarians clamoring to come back. Super cheap, quick, and yummy. Just one word of caution: watch out that you don't try to eat too quickly - the food is piping hot, and overeagerness may lead to a burnt tongue.
(4)
C K.
Looks super shady and like you might get food poisoning from eating there, but their food is delicious, and to date, I've been there probably 7 times and never had any problems (or had anyone that I've been with have any problems). The standout items there are the steamed juicy buns (very authentic) and the pan fried juicy buns (pockets of deliciousness).
(4)
Shane L.
Comfort food. Nuff said! This place looks like a dump, but the food that comes out of this kitchen can make anyone happy. Everything I've tasted here was plentiful in flavor. I recommend trying the soup dumplings since thats what everyone hypes about (they are good, not great). Rice dishes are OK, but I'd save room for their large soup noodles bowls. This is definitely a spot where you can come for a quick casual bite and then bounce with a nice warm/full belly. FYI....an added plus, this is a BYOB joint.
(3)
Michelle C.
Keeping it short: -If you're craving soup dumplings, Dim Sum Garden is worth a try. The skin is thin, the soup isn't thick and heavy so you don't feel like you're drinking ounces of gelatinized pork fat (even tho you are). -Scallion pancake is tasty here. -Noodle dishes... if you like your noodles soggy and gummy (translation: gross). -Pan fried pork... not reminiscent of anything fried or pork unless you count the oil. -smoked fish is a cold dish drenched in soy sauce and sugar. - The owners/waitress' were really nice and tried to be helpful. - If you're in need of watching bad chinese variety shows. This is the place!! -Looked around and seemed like fried/boiled dumplings were a huge hit there... I'll defiantly go back but just for the soup dumplings, the other dishes do not look appetizing. Try them at your own risk!
(3)
Elisabeth Y.
My husband and I came here on our way back from the Winter Beer Fest at Union Transfer. He had some chicken and pork dumplings, which he said were good. We split the pumpkin dumplings (sweet, but good with the sauce) and scallion pancakes (a little too greasy). I had the steamed vegetable bun and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food is good, the service is really quick, and it's cheap. Can't really go wrong.
(4)
Caleb L.
This was the first Chinese restaurant that I tried on my trip to Philadelphia. The area is pretty sketchy, but the food is great. We tried both soup dumplings(steamed and fried) and the scallion pancake. The steamed dumpling great. They were filled with tons of tasty soup and the meat is great. The scallion pancakes were good as well. The thing I was most excited for; however, were the fried soup dumplings. Unfortunately the idea of them being friend and soups filled don't work out too well together. Because they they're fried, the thicker dough ended up soaking up all of the liquid. This place is tasty and cheap($14.10). The only down side is that they made us buy a soda in order to use our card. They have a $15.00 minimum.
(4)
Debra C.
I was highly skeptical of this place when my friends chose it. For starters, the restaurant location is a tad sketchy - situated under a darkly lit overpass of sorts - and the interior... the owners didn't even try. But the food... oh the food! Dim Sum Garden isn't really a dim sum garden. It's more like a Shanghai dumpling house. A frickin' good one at that! A total surprise. The juicy pork soup dumplings were excellent (our group of five downed three servings!), the shumai were strange in a the best of ways (stuffed with more sticky rice than pork, but super delicious), the scallion pancakes were perfectly crispy, and the all house sauces (the dumpling sauce, ginger sauce, and hot sauce) were PERFECTION. All this said, never judge a book by its cover! The decor here may be shitty, but the food is frickin' lovely.
(4)
Heesun K.
Had Pork Soup Dumplings Scallion Pancakes & Beef Brisket Noodle Soup. Unlike the other time I went, the dumplings had alot of soup in them. awesome! the noodle soup was less salty than the last time and had lots of braised beef in it. Overall, very satifying meal.
(4)
Trang N.
SUUUUPER yummy pork "juice" dumplings, aka soup dumplings! If you don't know what they are, you need to come here and try it. Worth the trip to Philly...!! Con: typical of Chinatown restaurants, they're not too clean with the way they serve you your drinks/food.
(4)
Steve L.
This place looks shady, super shady. I told myself location would never be the reason for a bad review. Once inside, the lights are bright white and had that scary movie feel to it. Onto the food. We kept it simple and just wanted to try the "famous" soup dumplings that people have been raving about. We also ordered the pan fried version as well. The pan fried soup dumplings came out first. Definitely not my favorite of the two, since this version was a bit drier (no soup! duh) and the dough was thicker than what I would have liked. The regular ones came out and looked delicious. It had a thinner skin and plenty of soup inside. Carefully bite into these things because burning your lips is inevitable. Flavorwise it wasn't anything mind blowing. Just your simple pork filling and some good stock inside.
(3)
Diana K.
Agree with the other reviewers-- this isn't really a dimsum place. While they do have some dimsum offerings on their menu, their specialty seems to be the soup dumplings... yum!
(3)
Lils N.
The ladies that run this restaurant are awesome and have to deal with a lot of crap since its in the center of Chinatown right next to the bus stop. I've ordered take out so many times that now they ask how I'm doing and where I've been. I always get the Xiao Long Bao (Pork Soup Dumplings) and the Shen Jian Bao (pan fried pork buns). They are my FAVORITE Shanghai dishes and Dim Sum Garden does a pretty good job providing me with the authentic taste. What makes a good Pork Soup Dumplings is that the buns need to have tasty broth and thin skin. Considering how fast the service is, I'm pretty satisfied. If you want a twist, you can get the crab and Pork Soup dumplings, but its not as good as the original Pork Soup Dumplings. I give 5 stars b/c the owners/waitresses are super sweet and provide amazing service, the prices are pretty fair, and they open pretty late when I have my Chinese food cravings.
(5)
Paul L.
Being a lover of Shanghainese food, I was dismayed for the longest time that there's no good Shanghainese restaurant in the city of Philadelphia, but that all changed 3 years ago when my friend brought me to this hole-in-the-wall in the dirty tunnel below the Hilton Hotel. Sure, I was skeptic at first. If the Chinatown bus wasn't located right next door, I would avoid walking down this path, especially at night, even being a tall burly man that I am. And the restaurant looks like any cheap American Chinese food take out place, there's no interior decor to speak of, the tables seems to be burnt by cigarettes at one point or another and who wants to seat inside and smell the fumes and cigarette smokes of passer-bys? All that aside, the food is pretty phenomenal. Unlike all the other Chinatown establishments that are still trying to perfect their soup dumplings (aka Xiao Long Bao), this place already have it all figured out. The wrappers are not too thin that it'll tear apart easily nor too thick that you get a whole mouth of dough, inside there's a fatty and meaty broth, I'm partial of the crab meat and pork one that gives it a milky taste but the pork one is also good by itself. A tiny sprinkle of red vinegar and you're in soup dumpling heaven and you don't need to jump on one of those New York buses parked right next door to get this experience. The scallion pancakes here are lovely, Jose Garces' Chifa can come and take a page on how to make good scallion pancakes. Crispy, flaky, fragrant with scallions, again with a dash of vinegar to make the acid dance with the oiliness makes a tiny mouth of heaven. The Siu Mai here is not your normal kind that are stuffed with pork and shrimp, this kind is stuffed with sticky rice. I have to say I was a tiny bit disappointed since this place is advertised as Dim Sum Garden and I was hoping they would have more dim sum that I see regularly but I actually do like their Siu Mai as well. I have always been a fan of anything sticky rice, if they had named it Sticky Rice Siu Mai, I would have been a lot more content, but they tasted good. There are cold appetizers like 5-spice beef or the bowl of duck tongues that can be good if you're in the mood for it. They also have hand shaved noodle soup or rice vermicelli soup that works for the hungrier ones. Try the pork and pickled vegetable rice vermicelli that is a favorite for a lot of people. But if you're not famished, stick with trying more dim sum type dishes. Next time I'm going back I will have to try the turnip cake and my oh so favorite red bean pancake.
(4)
Teresa L.
Let's get this off my chest: This is not dim sum. This is normal, portioned food. So don't "dim sum" ME, unless you got your fried taro or radish cakes, shrimped wrapped in rice noodles, and saumai THAT HAS MEAT IN IT. Otherwise, this is a good place. The Shanghai saumai was like WHOA to my taste buds (sticky rice inside?!) and the green onion pancake was delectable. I totally got the Shanghai wonton noodle soup high. Perfectly seasoned (i.e. salted just enough that the wonton flavor still dominates). Let's see, oh yes and the Xiao Long Bao was DRIPPING in its juices. And adding juiciness to juiciness was our pork/chive dumplings. Cute little things didn't disappoint. The condiments they put out (ginger-soy sauce, and this other sweet vinegar) were lovely. Mm! See? I'm only mad about the name, but my tummy says everything's going to be alllllll right.
(4)
Sandy T.
I love this place, I've been to DSG on three separate occasions and it's always been good, every single visit. The pork and crab steamed dumplings were to die for, I get that every time I go there, steaming hot flavored broth, doughy covering, succulent meat filling, nothing better :) The scallion pancakes were good too, better than any I've had before around Chinatown, crunchy, doughy, and didn't taste like it came from the freezer. The decor's pretty, casual, spacious, and homely and the staff is nice.
(5)
Frank S.
it's ok. But not so good. Just fine.
(3)
Clarissa G.
I live in NY but I travel I95 a lot. Every time I travel through PA I make a point to get off the highway in Philly & go to Dim Sum Garden. I always get 2 orders of the juicy pork buns because one order is never enough. They are slap your mama, finger licking, bite the tips off good. Juicy buns are the only thing I've ever order from Dim Sum so I can't really speak in the rest of the menu. The service for me has always been fast & friendly. It is so worth try, plus it's a cheap eat.
(5)
Nhu P.
My review is strictly for the xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Their soup dumplings are BY FAR, the BEST I have ever had! Better than Joe's Shanghai. Perfect amount of skin, not too thick and not too thin that they break. The broth inside is AMAZING, its rich and flavorful and needs no additional sauce but I still put some of their dumpling sauce in it because its great there! Pork or crab stuffing, both great! Quick, tasty, and cheap! I travel all the way from MD to have these when I get the craving so you know its good! As far as the dim sum goes, if you are expecting standard cart style dim sum, then you might want to go elsewhere first, then come here for the soup dumplings. Their dim sum is shanghai style and if you're into that then hey, by all means, enjoy! I'm just not a huge fan of shanghai style dim sum so I don't base my opinion on the restaurant from that. Their rice dishes are good and filling though. Honestly, try their xiao long bao and then decide if you really think that Joe's shanghai is THAT great...
(5)
Diana X.
Good soup dumplings, small selection of authentic things on the menu but if you frame it as a typical takeout restaurant, which it sort of appears to be from the outside, this place is incredible. They've got some roast duck which is decent, but I find that their entrees have too large of a portion of rice and fillers and not that much meat or whatever it is you're actually wanting to pay for. Prices aren't what I would consider super cheap either, and you may find yourself with a bill higher than expected relative to the casual look of the place. Their crispy scallion pancakes are also fantastic. They make all their dumplings by hand, and I even saw a lady insert a huge pan of dumplings she'd just constructed into a freezer by my table.
(4)
Diraj K.
I used to frequent this place 4 years ago, when they were just a hole in the wall joint under a bridge. I'm very excited, but not the least bit surprised they have succeeded and expanded. The food here rivals, if not exceeds the quality in NYC. As someone who has tried soup dumplings all over the world, including China, I will definitely vouch for this place. Start with the steamed pork soup dumplings, an absolute must here. You can get them pan fried as well, which are also good but after a few, the oil makes me feel sick. You won't go wrong with the scallion pancakes or noodle soup dishes either. Its cash only which is why I docked a star. On the flip side, that's probably why they are so affordable. If you're looking for good shanghai cuisine in Philly, this place is hard to beat.
(4)
Gizelle P.
Came in from a long trip on the Greyhound on a muggy day- and this place made me so happy! Waiter was super patient with me, sat me where I wanted to, and my order came fast. This place is a family-run joint, love their relaxed and calm atmosphere. An order of pork soup dumplings was the perfect, not too filling amount for lunch for one person. They were flavorful and served at the perfect temperature so I didn't burn my tongue. And at $6 it's a steal, I know plenty of places that charge $10! After the first bite I was happy to have all 8 to myself :) I wanted to try their scallion pancakes, but I'm just gonna trust them that they're very good. SO glad I found this place!
(5)
Henry K.
I came in here mistaking it for the new Dim Sum Garden. The food was so so. The bottom of the soup dumplings kept breaking and leaking soup. I wasn't crazy about the location of the restaurant (next to the bus station in an alley). While eating my food, a woman in the kitchen suddenly gave a loud scream...don't even want to think about what could possibly scare a Chinese cook.
(2)
Nick C.
I am so happy to see this place reviewed well! I have eaten the Soup Dumplings on so many occasions, but recently sat down for the full monty. I LOVE THIS PLACE EVEN MORE! Super friendly atmosphere, food comes out as it is cooked, incredibly reasonably priced, and absolutely delicious. Five Stars.
(5)
Moish G.
Been to the Original Dim Sum Garden many, many times, and have brought many friends there to share. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are excellent. Traditional boiled pork and chive dumplings are excellent, too. I've had a few other dishes there, and everything seems to be top-notch quality: rice platters, general tso's chicken, mapo tofu, scallion pancake. ODSG is a clearly a no-frills kind of environment: its location under a parking garage and next door to the Chinatown bus depot, its IKEA furnishings. But it seems clean and orderly. Occasional issues with language, but that's to be expected. They really need to have napkin dispensers on the tables! On my latest visit there (9/7/2015), I ordered the boiled pork and chive dumplings. I happened to be seated so that I had a bird's-eye view into the kitchen. I watched the cook scoop the dumplings out of the boiling water and onto a platter. One of them fell onto the floor. She picked it right up, and I figured she was throwing it away. Alas, no. She popped it back into the vat of boiling water for a half a minute, and popped it back onto the platter. Yum! Look, it's not the worst thing to happen, and it probably happens a helluva a lot more often than we imagine, but of course we typically don't see it. Still, it makes one wonder what other 'short cuts' are being taken in the kitchen, and after the Yang Ming debacle, it makes one think even more.
(3)
Diana N.
I was on the east coast so far from home and craved some good Chinese takeout. Since it was a solo trip, my boyfriend didn't want me staying out too late, especially not walking around alone at night. I tried to order take out, but it was a little too confusing for me, so I tried calling them and there was some miscommunication. In the end, I decided to walk there really quick to order the take-out and then head back to my hotel pronto. When I got there, my negative impression of them totally diminished! The workers there are the nicest I have ever known in the restaurant business. They were very helpful based more on genuine generosity rather than acting that way just to get business. They double-checked my order before creating it, made sure I had everything I needed, and even when I was walking out the door, one of their workers ran up to me last minute and handed me a physical copy of their menu to keep ("for next time" they said even though they knew I was from California). I ordered the PEKING DUCK OVER RICE dish and a WONTON SOUP. Man, it was a lot of food! I loved the PECKING DUCK OVER RICE dish (I'm a little bias with duck - love the fatty duck skin) because the rice had this sauce over it that made everything so sweet and savory. However, I really wish the rice was more fresh because it did taste a little rough/hard and I believed it to be a day old and not fresh. The duck meat wasn't the thickest or meatiest, but hey, it was a cheap dish so I knew I shouldn't expect much. As for the WONTON SOUP, it was so huge (enough for 2 people as a simple appetizer). There were 10 wontons in there and I couldn't finish it all. I remembered the wonderful service more than the food though, because they seem to be people who are really passionate about their food and really care for their customers. Hoping to visit them again whenever I'm back in Philadelphia!
(4)
Amanda N.
We were craving some Asian comfort food after a long rainy day. Wanted to try something new and liked the casual happy vibe that we saw through the window as we were strolling around Chinatown and decided to give dim sum garden another chance after being underwhelmed by the other location. The service is friendlier and much warmer here. The food came out faster and fresher tasting with a slightly thinner skin to the pork soup dumplings-- hallelujah! Delicious soupy fresh dumplings = done deal/happy tummy. The napa and pork dumplings weren't bad though wouldn't order them again. The spicy tripe dish (which is a cold appetizer-- we were surprised) wasn't bad either. The brisket noodle soup was a huge generous serving with a nice handful of fresh choy. I would definitely come back!
(4)
Michelle P.
Silly me. I thought I was ordering delivery from Dim Sum Garden, but apparently I ordered delivery from the Original Dim Sum Garden. With all the hype about Dim Sum Garden, I was super excited to try it. Luckily, I've never eaten at either location before so therefore no comparisons or disappointment was needed. I ended up with some pretty yummy Chinese food. My hubby and I went to town and ordered the hot & spicy soup, chili cabbage shredded pork soup, Pork with Sauce Noodle, the chives & pork dumplings and finally the scallion pancake. I didn't love the soups. This was my first foray into both hot & spicy and chili cabbage shredded pork so it was probably more a personal preference thing. The hot & spicy soup was thick with egg, tofu and noticeable peppers. I found it hard to eat after a while. The shredded pork soup was a broth that just got boring to eat after a while. You live, you learn. On the other hand, the rest of the order rocked! This was hands down the best scallion pancake I've ever had. It was kind of greasy, but in a good way. It was soft and full of scallion with each bite. The pepper dipping sauce was a killer edition. The chive and pork dumplings were also really great. There was an option for steamed or fried so we went with steamed. While they were still technically small dumplings, they were pretty stuffed and not tiny. There were 10 to an order for about $6.00 which I thought was a good deal. The star of the show was the Pork with Sauce Noodle. We opted for the hand-made noodles and declined the option soup. I've had similar dishes but nothing exactly like it. It was really flavorful and tasty. Next time I'd probably give them a try in person though. The $5.99 Grubhub delivery fee was a little steep. The food was pretty inexpensive so that could have gone to an entire extra item. So I didn't eat from the restaurant I wanted, but I ended up with another good option in Chinatown
(4)
S C.
Perfect. Very pleasant, attentive service. Meal starts off with hot tea. Food was delicious, served hot and quick. We had pork dumplings, sweet potato pancakes, chilli cabbage shredded pork soup, and spring rolls. Yummy. : ) All for just $13. Came back a few days later. Exactly the same. Great service, great good, great prices
(5)
Stella L.
Went here just for the xiao long bao! I have to say its pretty good. They have hands down the best sauce to dip it in..its slightly sweet and very delicious. I wish more places offered this sauce. Scallion pancakes were also yummy! Oo also the prices are super cheap. We got two orders of the soup dumplings and a scallion pancake for 16 dollars!
(4)
Ilikeboa C.
Read all the reviews about how awesome their soup dumplings was and got all excited. We ended our trip in Philly with a taste of China and left a bit discontented. The experience and the service was overall "ok" but I guess the overhype of the food killed it especially when a long tiring day did not meet its reward. We ordered soup dumpling and YangZhou(Yueng Chow) Fried Rice. The dumplings had too much dough and it was a bit hard to chew off the top. I am not sure if their vinegar sauce was specially made like most other Shanghainese cuisines, this place gives you a bottled vinegar. Usually Shanghainese cuisine serve the vinegar sauce in a cup with ginger and they tasted so darn good with the soup dumplings. Obviously it was not the case here. The soup part of the soup dumpling was so plain I thought I was tasting water. YangZhou Fried Rice came with a big portion and I was so full that I couldn't stand straight. I was full but felt empty. The dish tasted plain and nothing like what I had before. I appreciate the fact that no MSG was added but at least pour some salt or something. This review might be a bit biase since I am never tried their dim sum. For those who didn't know, dim sum is part of the Cantonese cuisine. Soup dumpling is part of the Shanghainese cuisine. One just can't be good at both. For those who are visiting NYC, try Joe's Shanghai. Their soup dumplings are genuine.
(3)
Susan R.
My favorite Chinese restaurant ever. And when I say ever, I mean ever--I don't even live in Philly. I always get the following and it always rocks my world: xiaolong bao (so good) scallion pancakes (omg) Chinese broccoli (yessss) some kind of pan-fried dumplings And then whatever else looks good. Very affordable, very tasty, good service and super prompt.
(5)
Sofia C.
BEST authentic Shanghainese food~! Although it may not be the greatest location or look the bestest, the quality of the food they provide makes up for it. I have tried their food since they first opened and was sad when they decided to close down and followed them till they reopened again and STILL they have NEVER failed to satisfy my cravings. They have the best scallion pancakes, shanghai wontons, and xiaolong baos (soup dumplings) that Philly has to offer. Their prices are affordable and their service is great. People talk and things happen. All the speculations about who the real owner is does not really matter. What matters is the taste and satisfaction that is guaranteed once you step into their store.
(5)
Pingyi L.
Don't let the location fools you. How can anything good located right by the bus station. But Dim Sum garden is super authentic! The soup dumplings were juicy and well seasoned. Don't forget to also try the beef noodles. The noodles were freshly home made with perfect texture. The beef noodles were tasty and reminded me of home!
(5)
Caliope S.
Delicious fried pork rice. Didn't try enough varieties of dim sum to rate that. Place looks bare bones, but service was quick and friendly, and prices seemed fair. I would return if I found myself in the area again on business.
(3)
C C.
I returned here with my boyfriend because he was craving some dim sum. As I tried some new dishes, I realized that most of what I had was more of a three-star than a four-star rating. We had the steamed pork soup dumplings and scallion pancakes again, and they didn't disappoint. This time, we also ordered a dish of seaweed, which was really salty--it made the tea taste sweet. The seaweed and egg soup was also on the saltier side, but not as extreme. Although it's called an egg drop soup, it looks like the cut the egg into strips after it was cooked to resemble the seaweed more. Although it was more visually appealing, the egg tasted a little hard. One thing I do enjoy about the soups I've tried is that they aren't thickened. We also tried the sweet potato cakes, which were fried and crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with red bean. While I did like them, they were too greasy for my taste. Overall, the dishes here tend to be too salty or too greasy for me. However, the staff here are always super-friendly, prices are reasonable (this meal was $20 including tax), and complementary tea is always a plus. This isn't my favorite place in Chinatown, but I don't mind going with my boyfriend when he's in the mood for some dim sum.
(3)
Robert P.
Don't eat here it's not the original. They moved around the corner. You couldn't pay me money to eat here again. The real Originals should sue
(1)
Matt E.
Hands down the best place to go for dim sum in the city (don't confuse this one with the one on Race Street). Definitely order the soup dumplings when you go here....they are made perfectly and do not break apart when you pick them up. I also recommend their duck noodles and bok choy. The service here is extremely friendly and you cannot beat the prices. All in all one of the best meals you can get in Philly.
(5)
Alyssa R.
My mom and I went late in the evening and was expecting food to be somewhat "old" and just reheated but we were WRONG! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with a smile and a menu. I told the owner(?) that I wanted food to go and he smiled and said that's fine (small language barrier but not bad). The food, we just got chicken and friend rice to be on the safe side but now I wish we got more food!!! Clean restaurant, clean kitchen and food tastes and is freshly made. Wonderful service and great tasting food. Definitely a hidden gem!
(5)
Alex L.
Dim Sum Garden is definitely a hidden gem. The Good: Not your typical dim sum! The food tastes incredibly fresh and most items are handmade in the kitchen, not shipped in frozen bulk packs from dumpling sweatshops in Mexico or whatever. Try the Xiao Long Bao and other dim sum dishes, you'll taste the difference. DSG's service is exceptional as well -- the servers are attentive and staff members are friendly and accommodating! (They only speak Chinese.) If you're looking for the authentic Chinese experience, look no further. The Bad: They don't have the cute little carts. Boo. Apparently they are unrelated to the new Dim Sum Garden which just opened on 10th and Race? Regardless, completely worth going!
(4)
Jonathan T.
Okay, I've seen a lot of straight one star "not original DSG, goto 10th and Race" by people, half of them have just one review so I'm going to ignore that. I've heard another side of the story, where the woman who runs the 10th and Race operation had half the stake in the company and decided to spin off and do her own restaurant. To be honest it doesn't make a different to me; if you serve me good food I'm happy, restaurant politics aren't factored in my review! Unfortunately I might still come off as biased when I say I think the "original" Dim Sum Garden makes better xiaolongbaos (soup dumplings) than the new restaurant, at least of late. The preparation is of higher quality with the skin being nice and thin, the meat tender, and the liquid plentiful. Scallion pancakes were solid, just the right amount of greasiness and fried doneness. I also got a cold duck appetizer which was pretty delicious as well. I also appreciate the effort to spruce up the interior of the restaurant. Yes, it's still underneath an overpass that is part of the convention center, but they've replaced the cheap, plastic IKEA tables and chairs with less cheap, wooden but probably still IKEA tables and chairs. They take credit cards whereas the 10th and Race location does not (at least as of a month ago). Don't count out this location. I personally don't care if it's old, new, original or a ripoff ... if somebody were to come up to me and ask for the best soup dumplings in Philadelphia I'd say this restaurant takes the cake [for now]. The only downside is I have to eat more soup dumplings to keep the pulse on both restaurants, poor me :)
(4)
Alex P.
It was ok. Its right next to the Wawa and Greyhound bus station. They had a variety of juicy buns and they had bubble tea. It actually wasn't cheap. Each dish was $5-7 for the dim sum. And they didn't have shumai or beef noodles. They noted that they were Shanghai style only, no Cantonese.
(3)
Luna A.
being from nyc, i had high expectations for this place... and they exceeded them! i almost wish i could move this place to the city! super quick great service and amazing dim sum.... really not much else to say. make sure you tip these guys they really deserve it.
(5)
Julie C.
This place has amazing dumplings. You can not go wrong with their steamed soup pork dumplings. They are so juicy and delicious. The food comes out quick and it is always great. Also, the scallion pancakes are my favorite amongst all others that I have had in University City. I know what you're thinking...alright, what's so great about scallion pancakes? The ones at Dim Sum Garden are layered and are not thin, yet still deliver the flaky texture that is a necessity for scallion pancakes. The ambience in there isn't the best and its in desperate need of a revamp, but it doesn't seem to matter too much to me because the food is great.
(4)
Grace S.
So the owner of the truly original DSG contacted me and it appears this storefront was sold to a new owner last year who renamed the place "Original Dim Sum Garden" (which I admit is misleading). I'm migrating my review to the new storefront which is apparently located at 1020 Race Street.
(1)
Justin D.
First impressions were a little unnerving: the seating area consists of about 7-8 tables with an unusual fro-yo section in front of the counter. I ordered a bubble tea to start off and I have to say, not good. While I got a traditional milk bubble tea with pearls, I saw the man behind the counter putting the powdered base into the plastic container. The taste was similar: chalky and unappealing. So sad because milk bubble tea is one of my most favorite beverages and it is so easy to make. I ordered the sesame seed chicken for dinner. My friends gushed on the soup but the chicks was quite sweet. The rice tasted like minute rice, right out of the microwave. Not a bad experience. I was filled up and took respite from the cold. But it could be better.
(3)
Neal C.
I really wanted to love this place-- authentic Shanghainese food, really friendly owners, and very reasonable prices, but unfortunately I was not very impressed with the flavor of the pan-fried pork buns (sheng jian bao) or steamed pork buns (bao zi). The bao zi were actually frozen, which was very disappointing that they don't make it fresh, but the pan fried buns were made fresh (it took roughly fifteen minutes, which was fine with me). That being said, there wasn't too much pork or soup within to really stand out, so I ended up tasting more dough than anything else. The bottoms of the buns were very crisp like you'd want, but it was very oily as well. Maybe I should have just gone with the XLB, but it's so hard to find anyone who sells pan fried pork buns with soup, so I couldn't resist. It's worth the visit to chat with the owners and enjoy authentic shanghai cuisine, but I suppose you should try the XLB or other dim sum items.
(3)
Gina P.
My favorite Dim Sum place in Philly. Always recommend the soup pork dumplings! And you really can't beat the price!!!
(5)
Lisa B.
Went here for a late meal on Labor Day holiday. In summary: good was great, service was deplorable. The food was flavorful, quick to arrive and generous for the price paid. Between two hungry people we ordered the pork soup dumplings (large and plump, good but not outstanding broth), stewed chicken over rice (deliciously tender and juicy, served with baby bok choy), ma po tofu noodles in soup (very good) and Chinese broccoli cooked with garlic (standard, but good and fresh). However. The service. Rude and belligerent to the point where I actually thought the server was joking. Unfortunately not. We had difficulties asking about the types of noodles they had (apparently the fact that we didn't know the Chinese names for a flat rice noodles vs vermicelli rice noodles was something we had to decipher for ourselves instead of him just indicating which one we could get, this took maybe five minutes to negotiate with him). At the end of our meal we asked for the rest to take home, which they gladly complied with, however when we requested a second plastic fork they refused. I mean, what does a plastic fork cost you, a penny!?! I couldn't believe it. Anyway. All up our bill was around $32 including a tip the server didn't really deserve. This was for a huge meal with leftovers. Amazing value, shocking service. If you want a quick snack on the go then it's a good location. Just be prepared for service that's ambivalent at best, straight up rude at worst.
(2)
Brandon D.
Saw the LINE COOK ACTIVELY VOMIT while working on the line. She didn't miss a beat: spat on the floor to clear her mouth, then got right back to cooking- no hand washing, sanitizer, bathroom breaks; nothing. I've lived and traveled in Southeast Asia for three years, ate peasant food in Nepal, and pride myself in eating at places run by cooks who practice questionable hygiene. This was entirely different. Pros: Price is okay; probably don't have to tip. Cons: Vomiting cook, flavor wasn't anything to write home a bout..
(1)
BJ M.
Fried pork soup dumpling is the best, and the pork pocket is also delicious. Good rendition of mapo tofu and pork with sauce noodles. Bok choy is also really good. Not as refined as some other dim sum gardens but really who cares. The taste is what counts.
(5)
Christine E.
It's cheap, and it's decent food for a cold, hungover-laden Saturday afternoon. Nothing was amazing, yet nothing was bad. If I could personally give 5 stars to the steamed beef dumplings, I would. I recommend checking this place out if you want an inexpensive, fast, and un-fussy Dim Sum experience.
(3)
Thomas G.
Original in name only. After many satisfying visits to this restaurant three of us agreed last night's meal was the worst we'd had, not only here but in a Chinese restaurant generally. The signature shanghai soup dumplings were tepid and lacked flavor. An order of steamed dumplings with pork and chives was inedibly gummy. None of us had ever had worse dumplings...anywhere!! The chicken on a stick was overcooked to the point of turning into wearable moccasins. We will never go back.
(1)
Kermit T.
So I don't give away stars easily, but this place earns a 4.5. I feel like I've never eaten good dim sum before. Every dish we ordered (and there were 7 of us sharing all kinds) was excellent. Soup dumplings are a must, steamed and pan fried dumplings are sensational alike. Also try the sweet potato
(4)
Pete M.
What great dumplings and noodles! Shanghai soup dumplings and handmade noodle with pork are best I have had! Very affordable pricing and good service will definitely be coming back
(5)
Jon E.
Soup dumplings (pork), scallion pancake, brisket noodle, and a side of bak choy. Fantastic meal, quick service, cheap ass hell, and consistent quality. I never deviate from this lineup but wouldn't be surprised if everything on their menu is delicious. Much respect to Dim Sum Garden.
(5)
Cort M.
Service was excellent. Dumplings with soup inside? Try them...you will love them. We also had shrimp dim sum and scallion pancakes. We each had a bowl of soup, one beef and one chicken. We were stuffed and couldn't finish all the soup. The broth was just right. Didn't need to add a thing. Added the ginger sauce to the scallion pancakes and then went from excellent to brilliant. We will definitely eat here again if we return to Philly.
(5)
S L.
Small family place... Great Dim sum and friendly staff. Gotta try Number 1 and Number 9. My wife and I wanted to try dim sum for V- Day!! So glad we did.... Green Tea was awsome. If you want good Dim sum this is a must place. Fast service with a great price!!
(5)
Jojo Y.
å°ç¬¼åŒ…ä¸é”™ï¼Œæ±å¤šçš®è–„，肉一般。但是锅贴, 上海馄饨，生煎ä¸è¡Œã€‚生煎皮太åŽï¼Œè€Œä¸”没有æ±ã€‚感觉碗ç·ä¸æ˜¯å¾ˆå¹²å‡€ã€‚还ä¸çŸ¥é“å’Œrace st. 上的dim sum garden比哪个。。
(3)
David G.
The food was great. It was so cold in the place that we had to eat with heavy coats on
(3)
Cindy C.
Love their soup dumplings and beef/pork packets. Simply delicious, and everything tastes really fresh. It's cheap too!
(5)
Ng T.
Came here after work with some colleagues for dinner. I was concerned that we were going to a place for dim sum during dinner time since dim sum is generally brunch/lunch. After one look at the menu, I realized that this was not a dim sum joint, but a Shanghainese dumpling/noodle place. Nevertheless, we ordered primarily what we could find of classic dim sum dishes (soup dumplings, shao mai, shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes), a fish appetizer (a co-worker's favorite) and a beef brisket noodle to fill us up. Soup dumplings were quite good and the best thing we ordered. This should probably be more obviously celebrated on the menu because it was the best thing we ordered. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The shao mai were strangely filled with glutinous rice, which are very startling when you expect a meat filled dumpling. The shrimp dumplings were a disappointment; the skin was completely opaque (the should be translucent), fell apart when we picked it up, and did not taste particularly fresh. The scallion pancake was very thick and as a result tasted a little doughy. The fish tasted like it was canned once and then seasoned (pretty good for a canned job). The noodles were OK, but too oily for me and sadly did not come with much beef. The food is not bad if you are not familiar with real Chinese food (certainly better than most take-out joints), but it falls short if you know what you're ordering. Pros: It's cheap! Also the service was very friendly. Apparently the new one is better.
(2)
Jillian N.
The food is absolutely delicious, and the service is attentive and pleasant. I still can't get over how good the food was for the price - two people can get VERY full off of $20 worth of food. The only reason I can't give this 5 stars is because the restaurant itself was very basic. Ikea furniture, bright florescent lights. It's basically the best hole-in-the-wall.
(4)
Bill F.
I eat here every time I visit Philadelphia. The food is so delicious. Really it's comfort food. The family/staff are professional and friendly. They make you feel like a welcomed guest in their home.
(5)
Kristin H.
I've been hitting the really yummy food jackpot lately! And it's about time since I've walked by Dim Sum garden, like, a million zillion times. So, a zillion years ago, I tried Dim Sum while living in Chicago and I hated it. It just wasn't that good, leaving a friend and I sitting there asking ourselves "Is this what non-Americanized Chinese food tastes like or does this just suck?". I remember the best thing from that meal being a turnip cake, otherwise, I felt like this vegetarian was mostly left hung out to dry. The cool little cart didn't even make it better, either. Although I still don't have the answers to these questions, I am so happy to tell you that everything I tried tonight at the Dim Sum Garden was delicious! I found myself here after a friend suggested that we and three other ladies meet here for dumplings before a show at the Union Transfer. For around $15 each (with tip), all of us gals shared the bok choy, scallion pancake, and a whole lot of dumplings! We all left feeling pretty full and pleased with our food. I'm going to go ahead and say that the scallion pancake was the most tasty for the price ($2.50), but the bok choy was something I could eat an entire plate of (theory almost tested: I shared, but it was mostly all for me). The dumplings definitely held their own. Between the shrimp and the veggie, I couldn't declare a winner because they were so equally good. I might have liked the veggie quite a bit because someone ordered theirs pan fried, which made them a little special. I recommend trying both steamed and fried: each method of preparation gives each variety of dumpling a new taste. Definitely try the different sauces at each table, too, which were soy sauce blends of deliciousness. Our service, the food, and the prices are all great. Dim Sum Garden may be my new favorite place in Chinatown! Yeah! Keep it growin', guys.
(5)
Sara S.
DIM SUM GARDEN!!! GO! EAT DELICIOUS DUMPlINGS!!!! Ok- back to using my indoor voice. My love/dining companion and I have been coming here for years and I can't believe I haven't submitted a review. Each visit makes me excited to return. Items that you must order to fully fall madly in dumpling love: -steamed pork dumplings (soupy goodness awaits!) -pan fried veggie dumplings. They're big time tasty. -Shanghai SiuMai, a lovely combination of sweet sticky rice, pork and mushrooms. -daikon cake (turnip cake as said by the waiter) Something that has really made me love coming here is that when its quiet sometimes you catch somebody hand making the dumplings. And the value is hard to beat. I took one star away because when its busy it can be utter chaos and there is little organization for moments like that.
(4)
Isaac N.
Loved it! We visited Phili last week and went for dinner. The service, hospitality, food, flavors and price everything was Awesome. I highly recommend them. Don't forget to try the dumplings.
(5)
A R.
Just wanted to update, I am told that the business receiving the good reviews closed in 2013 and another place opened with the same name in the same location. The review I left is for the new business
(3)
Jeffry C.
everything I had here was mediocre. pan fried buns (xian jian bao) was all flavorless bun boiled dumpling was ok. pork chop rice sucked. way too much starch in the sauce. xiaolongbao was whatevs the meat in the beef pocket was cold and bland but it's cheap!
(2)
Carol C.
I know sometimes we can get in the mood for just some down and dirty Chinese food, especially if it involves soup dumplings, and even if it means dropping by a shady looking joint under the bridge complete with Ikea furniture. I've been here multiple times, and have willingly sacrified cleanliness and service for some bomb soup dumplings. HOWEVER. There is still a LIMIT to the disgustingness and horrible service one can handle. First of all, we arrived with a party of 6 - maybe a bit large for this tiny joint, because things seemed to have fallen apart after we arrived. 1) They left used napkins on our chairs. Not wanting to touch them, I tried to ask a server for a napkin so I could get rid of it, but nope, expecting them to merely hand me a spare napkin was too much to ask. I eventually had to walk over to another table to get a napkin. 2) ONE person ordered out of the six, which apparently terrified the server because she ran away and never returned. After the ONE person ordered, ALL HIS FOOD CAME OUT within 3 minutes, which would've been pretty awesome...IF ALL OF US HAD ALREADY ORDERED. Basically, he began eating his food before our second person even ordered. 3) When we got a different server (yes, our server had disappeared off the face of the earth), she decided to take our menus before we even ordered. I had to remind her that only ONE of the 6 of us had ordered and took the menus back. 4) After ordering our soup dumplings, she brought out one plate at a time, which is fine. HOWEVER! While we were eating out of one of the plates, she came by with the second batch, and placed them ON TOP of the one we were eating out of. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 5) While we were searching for any server to get our check at the end, I witnessed the main worker work the register, then wipe her greasy forehead, walk over to the kitchen, and pick up the food with her BARE HANDS and place them on plates before serving it to the table next to us. Honestly, Sakura's dimsum might be a little more pricey, and a little too clean for when you're in the mood for cheap Chinese food, but it is definitely worth it if you're avoiding the risk of getting hepatitis/food poisoning/frustrations from the filthiness and stupidity of Dim Sum Garden.
(1)
Andre A.
Despite the name, this is definitely NOT the original Dim Sum Garden, but they don't want you to know that. The *real* Dim Sum Garden, the one that earned all the 5-star reviews, used to be in this location, but they moved to Race Street and have a different page on Yelp. This place, the old location, reopened one day under different ownership and continued doing business under the same name as if nothing happened. Can you say copycat? The food isn't terrible... but it's no match for the real place. Until I figured out the switch, I was left wondering why the quality at one of my favorites in town dropped so noticeably. It's a shame, because they're banking on the good name of a completely different place. Do yourself a favor: look up the real Dim Sum Garden and go there instead.
(2)
Seema F.
This place is very overrated, which is strange since it's a dingy little place under the overpass by the convention center bus station. It's not really a a dim sum restaurant like the name suggests. The actual menu has standard Chinese fare and the dim sum menu has about 18 items, many of which are not even dim sum (scallion pancake, french fries, and a fried chicken and fries combo?!) We ordered scallion pancake, panfried chives and pork bun, Shanghai crab and pork juicy bun (xiao long bao), shrimp dumpling, and shanghai siumai. The pan-fried chive buns were decent, but a bit small. The scallion pancake was crispy, but fairly standard. The shrimp dumpling was the most basic dumpling you can get. It was just a piece of shrimp in a steamed wrapper. Not very good. The shanghai siumai was very interesting--it was a purse shaped dumpling, rather than the standard siumai shape, filled with what appeared to be rice and meat. The juicy bun was about the best thing there, but with the tiny plates and spoons, it was difficult to eat without spilling everywhere. My only other complaint is that the tables have chili sauce, ginger sauce, and dumpling sauce, but no soy like all the other dim sum restaurants seem to have. I like all those sauces, but I really need soy for certain dumplings. Overall, it's a ok place to grab a dumpling while waiting for the bus. The juicy dumpling was good, but it is nothing I would go out of my way for.
(3)
Loni N.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now and I'm so glad I did. Don't be fooled by the outside appearance this place is the real deal for Dim Sum. I also got the scallion cakes which were heaven! The dim sum is amazing and the pork they use is fresh. You can watch the two ladies make everything from scratch in the open kitchen area. The food is good, flavorful, and very fresh. The service was good too. The dishes are large enough to share for two. I can't wait to go back. This place does take credit card but its a $20 minimum.
(5)
Brad P.
This place is tasty, absurdly cheap, and unpretentious about what it is. Go into your little head space and classify this place as "fast food" before your first visit. This is essential towards appreciating the experience that is on its way. Dim Sum Garden's pork soup dumplings are tasty and fun to eat. It doesn't matter how hungry you are - wait at least a few minutes after they are on the table before you shovel these things into your mouth. They are delicious but difficult to appreciate when the pain sensors in your mouth go red alert because you've just burned everything from the gingival margin of your lower central incisor to your epiglottis. I know the decor isn't conducive to patience, but just trust me on this one. I'll also give a shout out to the pan fried chicken dumplings. Stick to the dumplings when you come to this restaurant. I found the chicken on a stick and beef brisket over rice to be a little disappointing.
(4)
Eva J.
Quieter, more attentive service than the new one but...NO TURNIP CAKE!!! Blasphemy.
(4)
Minh C.
"Dinghy" is how I would describe the exterior of Dim Sum Garden. Having walked by here quite a few times, I had always wondered how a place like this could operate and break even. However, a friend who had come here said the dim sum was good and recommended it. That was a shocker, so I definitely had to try it out myself. We arrived noon-ish on a windy Sunday. It was packed. The establishment itself is relatively small, and oddly enough, it appeared to be quite family friendly. First, the food. We had the Shanghai Siu Mai, Fried Soup Pork Buns, and Crabmeat + Pork Buns. The Shanghai Siu Mai looked a little bit weird and tasted a little bit weird as it was mostly rice. The Crabmeat + Pork Buns were yummy. Despite being Asian, I've never had "Shanghai" style - where they're filled with broth and you make a small hole in the "bun," suck out the broth, then eat the rest. I learned something new! The same went for the Fried Soup Pork Buns as the name suggests. Overall, food was good, but I would say it's comparable to other good dim sum places in Philly. We actually didn't find this place that cheap relative to other dim sum joints. For those three dishes, it was about $20 bucks with tip - that's quite steep for a dim sum dive. Maybe it's priced higher because service is so great here? No. Our waiter was inpatient and walked by and dropped off our plates without even looking at us or telling us what dish he landed on our table.
(3)
Jon Z.
Consistently good cheap Chinese food hidden next to a former shady Chinatown bus depot The xiao lon bao is what most diners come here for but the rest of the menu is delicious and affordable. Get the scallion pancakes and some of the noodle dishes. You will spent about $10-15 per person and leave extremely full and happy! The decor could be improved but you can't expect everything. Also the service can be kind of blank and to the point but this is typical of many Chinatown restaurants.
(4)
Anne C.
I don't understand why I can't find a good dim sum place - the search continues!! So let's start off with the shady placement of this restaurant. It's not particularly in the best looking area, actually my mom had to drag me here to try the food because I was not convinced by the store front. I don't care what people say, the atmosphere of eating the food plays an important role as well! We each had a noodle dish and split some xiao long bao - it's a personal favorite of mine. The dumplings are worth trying here but everything else you could definitely pass on.
(3)
Brian C.
I can come to this place all the time. The xiao lung bao and other dumplings here are probably the best in Philadelphia. Everything is also very affordable. The minced pork noodle is springy and delicious, the seasoning really good. The scallion pancake is perfectly crispy. The braised beef is moist and tender, both in the braised beef noodle soup as well as the beef fried rice. Definitely a must stop for good, affordable tasty Chinese food.
(4)
Chris J.
Just moved in around the corner - and will be here once a week - for sure! Friendly service and even great for takeout! Had the Steamed Pork Juice buns - amazingly good - almost life changing! Also had the spring roll and the scallion pancake - the pancake with a sweet sauce for dipping that was awesome. And just for good measure - tried an order of General Tso's - even that was good! I'm excited to get more steamed pork buns - as early as tomorrow!!!
(4)
Linda N.
As other Yelpers have mentioned, this place does not offer a wide range of dim sum as its name "Dim Sum Garden" implies, but it surely didn't disappoint. What we ordered: - Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns), $5.75 - Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings), $5.75 - (Fried) Turnip Cake, $5ish - Shanghai Siu Mai, $5.75 - Chili Cabbage Shredded Pork Soup, $1.50 - Shanghai Wonton Noodle*, $5.75 - Zha Jiang Mian (Minced Pork Noodle), $5.75 Xiao long bao was good, as was the zha jiang mian. The xiao long bao's juice was absolutely delicious and zha jiang mian is my new favorite by far! Har gow, fried turnip cake, and chili cabbage shredded pork soup didn't live up to my expectations, however. Har gow was a bit fishy (probably an off-day), turnip cake had a fried pastry casing (which we didn't mind, but it was different from what we had before), and chili cabbage shredded pork soup was actually preserved vegetable shredded pork soup (which is fine, but I was expecting literally spicy cabbage because of the "chili" in the name). The Shanghai siu mai was a complete surprise because of the sticky rice filling. It wasn't bad, by any means, but we thought we ordered the normal shrimp & pork siu mai. *Cousin had the Shanghai wonton noodle, which didn't look that appetizing to me, but consisted of the same handmade noodles in the zha jiang mian. On another note, the dumpling sauce combined with the chili oil here is phenomenal. I love a good dumping sauce. Just be careful of the stickiness around the bottle from previous uses. With that said, I'll be back soon for the xiao long bao and zha jiang mian. Getting hungry just thinking about it!
(4)
Steve S.
Gotta hand it to the Yelp app for taking me to a place I never would have looked at twice based on the outside. Boy, this place seems to be legendary. After tasting the food, I can see why. Now, let's just get the issues out there that keeps me from giving this 5 stars. No, it's not much to look at. No, it's not the best location in the Chinatown area. No, the service isn't 5 star. In fact, as I look back, I found something a bit odd. So I order up some wonton soup, and the famous steamed soup dumplings. I got the wonton soup first and loved it. About 10 minutes later, the server comes to me and says that they ran out of steamed soup dumplings, but she had a plate of fried dumplings in her hand and asked if would I like those instead. I took them. But as I look back... I have a sneaky suspicion that they accidentally made mine fried, and tried to talk me into them. I'll say this... the fried dumplings have the same juiciness to them, and just a wonderful flavor. I do suspect that the frying makes the skin tougher which, in turn, makes the dumplings squirt more when you try to bite into them. Let's just say that my shirt took a bath even with the spoon, and I'm so glad that no one was sitting to my right. Food wise... most definitely 5 star for the dumpling taste alone. I gotta get back for the real deal soon.
(4)
Ben W.
Definition of a hole-in-the-wall. I remember walking by this place freshman year, wary of the dingy bus station next door and the sketchy neon signs in the window. Looking back, I was dumb. This place is by far one of my favorite dim sum places in Philly, if not the US. First off, the restaurant itself isn't the best-looking, but don't let that stop you from ordering some of the most delicious steamed and fried goodies. It's not your traditional dim sum place because there are no carts and you order strictly off a menu. The selection is huge and one thing I love about this place is that everything is fresh. You can take a peek at the kitchen and just watch them wrap and seal all the different types of dumplings they offer. My favorite item is the soup dumplings. I could literally eat these things every day. The skin is cooked just perfectly, silky soft and delicate enough to break just from sucking on it. The meat is so tasty and the soup is the best part. If you've never had soup dumplings before, ask your server how to eat them because it can get tricky. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu and I would suggest bringing a huge crowd of friends so that you can sample almost everything on the menu. I honestly don't know what more to say about this place except GO GO GO!
(5)
Mallory D.
I equate dim sum to the Chinese version of bar food. All the little delicious picky stuff without having to mess around with noodles & rice & whatnot (although that is certainly an option here!). I loved my first experience here and have been daydreaming about going back. With such an expansive menu, the possibilities are endless! Everything my sister & I got here was delicious. I am not as huge a fan a the little soup sack dumplings as I am pan fried, but they were deliciousnonetheless...despite the fact that I burnt off a layer of skin on the roof of my mouth. Oh well, I know better for next time! Even the non-dim sum itens were delicious. I especially liked the won ton soup, chicken on a stick, and the very tasty scallion pancakes. Dim Sum Garden is by no means a classy joint. In fact it is a little terrifying. But totally worth it. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jiawei H.
I tried all dimsum place in central city ，only one place i'm very like ，is original dimsum garden on 59 N 11th street ，the soup dumpling.scallion pancake .handmake noodle.....much better than everywhereï¼i'll come back soon with more friendï¼
(5)
Sarah K.
I'm just going to say that the ambiance and service was what made me rate this 2 stars. The table was sticky and the service was a little rude. I also had the roast duck over rice, which was mediocre. It was incredibly bony, and the greens on the side had no business being on a rice dish. Banana peppers?? BUT the Shanghai Pork Dumplings were awesome. I'd probably only come back for these only.
(2)
Ray L.
I can't say that I get what the hype is about, except that this place is fairly cheap. Their soup dumplings here are well flavored but fatty, but if I come here that's definitely what I end up getting. Their scallion pancakes are pretty good so I would definitely recommend those. Brace yourself as this is not the most comfortable dining experience (even by chinatown standards). But it's a hole in the wall and you know that going in, right?
(3)
Erica M.
How did I not discover this place when I lived a block away???? What a find. The dumplings and noodles are fantastic. We had pork sauce noodles, pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, steamed chicken dumplings, steamed shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes, and soup dumplings. Everything was awesome. Highlights were the pork sauce noodles, pork and chive dumplings, and the soup dumplings (though don't order those if you're souper hungry - pun intended - because they take a while to cool off so you don't scorch your mouth). Awesome place...can't wait to go back!
(5)
Brian M.
All of what you expect from this type of joint. Quick, cheap, kinda dirty, staff who speak broken English, wide menu selection, etc. Not that these are bad things, but Dim Sum Garden doesn't really stand out for me in any way worth reporting. It's straightforward and safe. I've been here a couple times now, and actually prefer the pan-fried dumplings over the more renowned steamed "soup dumplings" which the staff here has pushed on me each time I've visited. Nothing special really and kind of a pain to eat. If this is your idea of "fun" then, well...good for you. Also their chopsticks suck. They seem...greasy. Hard to handle.
(3)
Angie K.
XIAO LONG BAO! Yes, you may be harassed by random people in front of the store. Yes, there are tacky neon lights in the front. Yes, the inside decor is not much better. But who cares? The food and prices are great! I really haven't had too much trouble with the service; it is just typical of any Chinatown restaurant. They actually remember me, which can get slightly awkward/amusing when you go with acquaintances. Get the xiao long bao (soup dumplings), the Shanghai siu mai (sticky rice and minced pork dumpling), scallion pancake, ja jiang mien (minced pork in black bean noodle sauce). They also have a beef noodle soup that is great as well. No really, ignore the tacky decor and go for the dumplings.
(4)
Ali B.
Maybe it was the super duper rush. Maybe it was the fact that they forgot our order of xiao long bao. Maybe it was the fact that by "crab" topped they meant the smallest drop of crabmeat per dumpling. Maybe it was the fact that the xiao long bao tasted like egg drop soup to me. Can find a better steal more deep in chinatown. Prices elevated likely secondary to proximity to chinatown bus depot. Wouldn't necc rush to go to again.
(2)
Kathy I.
My first experience with soup dumplings was here and it was really good! I actually like the fried dumplings better but in general they were both good. Plus it was really cheap. The soup dumplings were a bit too salty but still enjoyable!
(4)
Veronica X.
Best Shanghai style Dim Sum I've ever had outside of Shanghai. Xiao Long Bao ( literally"little buns in a steamer" or as most people here call it, Soup Dumplings): excellent. Eat them while they are hot (as hot you can handle) because the soup inside the dumplings will gelatinize when allowed to cool. Bite into them carefully so the soup won't explode onto your dining companions, which could result in 1st degree burn, expensive dry cleaning and possible breakup. Fried pastry with shredded Daikon (a kind of radish, similar to Turnip) filling: I liken the pastry shell to Croissant for the similar flaky, rich texture (of course no butter is used in traditional Chinese pastry so no buttery taste). I had better pastry shell elsewhere but the Daikon filling here can't be beat: moist, savory and fresh tasting. It comes in an order of two. Our first order was great so we ordered a second, and they rushed it out. When it was brought to our server's attention that the 2nd order was undercooked, the kitchen promptly made another order for us as replacement. Pan fried pork bun: slightly over-cooked at the bottom but still very good. Some people may find the skin a little thick and doughy, but keep in mind that it's made from yeast dough unlike your normal dumpling skin ( hence the inaccuracy in calling them dumplings). I shall return.
(4)
Eddie K.
Loved the XLB and Crab XLB. Those are a must. The skin is smooth unlike the ones I ate at Bob's Shanghai and Shanghai Taste in Rockville. The shrimp dumpling and fried XLB was pretty good too. The Zha Jiang Mian was just okay. Was expecting something in a bowl instead of a plate. They take credit cards here!
(4)
Nataly N.
I was really hungry one night when I wandered on 11th St near Chinatown and stumbled upon this place under the tunnel, ablaze with its neon signs. In the past, I've had many bad experiences with dumplings, many of which were filled with mystery substances that claimed to be "chicken" or "shrimp." However, this was not the case at Dim Sum Garden. For $3.75, I got 10 pieces of pan-fried pork & chives dumplings. They were crispy on the outside, yet juicy and flavorful on the inside. They were very filling and delicious. I haven't had other items on their menu, but I'd definitely recommend their chives & pork dumplings. The service was ok - friendly and quick. You can either eat in or take out. I chose to stay and the food came out pretty quickly. While there aren't many tables, they turn over pretty fast and someone comes out to clean them up immediately. Great place for a quick and inexpensive meal.
(4)
Carlin Y.
This place is awesome. It looks kinda dirty and a little sketchy, but they probably have the BEST soup dumplings in the Philly area that won't leave your wallet considerably lighter. They have pretty decent dim sum as well, other dishes are pretty standard, but everything is pretty cheap and portions aren't bad. Worth it if you're hungry and could use some inexpensive but decent Chinese food real fast! Right next to the Chinatown bus terminal, it's the perfect spot to chill out and snack in before taking the bus.
(4)
John D.
A unique take on traditional Chinese dim sum, the dishes are larger so you won't get to sample the normal variety. The juicy pork buns are challenging to eat make sure they cool down. Priced well, two will eat like kings for $25.
(3)
Christopher D.
Beneath the tunnel and amidst the fumes from the Chinatown buses, lies a gem in Chinatown. Dim Sum Garden, a non-descript little out post under a neon sign continues to put out some great food. They make the so called juicy buns, or xiao long bao as well as anyone in the area. You bite into the pillows of goodness and you get an explosion of pork broth along with great filling. The other offerings, soups, dumplings and standard chinese entree are ok, but go for the juicy buns. Cannot wait for them to emerge in their new location from underneath the tunnel to the sunshine in Chinatown.
(4)
Larry J.
These people know what they are doing when it comes to the Pork Dumpling Soup, Pan Fried Pork Dumplings and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. Staff, including owner are friendly, nice, kind and willing to do whatever it takes to serve and please your palate. I have been to many places in the USA for Asian Food and I think that this is one of the best when it comes to freshness and quality. Prices are very reasonable and you should be very happy with speed of service!
(5)
Sam Z.
A nondescript, Chinese home-style looking establishment, tucked in the throws of a tunnel along N 11th street. It's the type of place that most passersby would just well, pass by. But for those willing to stop, you are in for a treat. Walking in from the cold, I warmed up body and taste buds with a dumpling noodle soup. The broth was on the weak side, lacking flavor, but the dumplings were tasty and plentiful and the bok choy crisp and fresh tasting. The real foodie fun however would begin with their signature, Xiao Long Bo (soup dumplings). Served steaming hot, in lots of 8, I eagerly dug into these pale colored puffs. While this was not my first Xiao Long Bo (XLB), it quickly became apparent that I had not attained veteran status just yet. Stuffing the first few (delicious) dumplings into my mouth whole, the waitress quickly spotted my transgression, and rushed to my rescue with a lesson in the art of Xiao Long Bo consumption. How amazing is that? First, place the dumpling in your spoon. Second, bite off the top of the dumpling and sip the soup slowly (yum). Third, eat deflated dumpling and enjoy. With technique mastered, I was now equipped to enjoy them to their maximum potential. That potential was awesome. Not only were the XLB top notch, so to (to my surprise) was the service; not exactly what you'd expect at a hole in the wall on the fringes of Chinatown. Extra napkins, dipping sauce, hot & cold beverage refills, and a masters degree in dumpling consumption, brought my way, without even having to ask. This place is can't miss on your next visit to Phila Chinatown. -SZ
(4)
Tyler R.
If you want Shanghai broth (juice) buns (aka Xiao Long Bao), come here. Eat as many as you can. Dim Sum Garden is easily one of the least pretentious places in the city. Since it's house in a store front that's in a tunneled section between Filbert and Arch St., you could miss it without any problem. DSG is a testament to what great food does for your business. In addition to the XLB try the duck gizzard, duck tongue, soups, and dumplings. Okay, duck tongue and gizzard are definitely not for everyone, and they give you plenty, but DSG is that good that you'll eat duck tongue and gizzard happily. My favorite feature of the restaurant is that you can look over the counter and watch the chefs making each bun and dumpling by hand. It's an unbelievable skills that yields serious deliciousness.
(4)
Brandi E.
Dim Sum garden is my favorite Shanghai restaurant that I have encountered as of yet in America. The highlight of the whole place is the xiao long bao also known as soup buns. For the uninitiated these are buns which are delicately made with thin shells and filled with steaming hot soup which consists of pork and broth. They are to die for but one must also be careful not to have the hot soup squirt out on them which can sometimes be a difficult task. This place has the best soup buns I have had since I have been to Shanghai. I am serious about this as I have been to Flushing and Chinatown and not found any as tasty as these. They are succulent and flavorful and warm you up from the inside. Now let's tackle the rest of the menu. The menu is really trying to cater to all tastes. It has traditional Shanghai dishes to Americanized Chinese food and just plain Fried Chicken with French Fries. The dim sum items are definitely the highlight. The aforementioned xiao long bao are the best and available in both pork and pork with seafood varieties. The pork dumplings and siu mai are also good and some of the better I have had. The scallion pancakes are definitely worth a try as well. The pork with sauce noodle is also a favorite of mine and very flavorful. Some of the other foods are great and some are just average and you do have to pick carefully. I would also recommend the beef brisket and the mapo tofu. The more Americanized you go the more likely you will be disappointed. Be sure to check out the daily specials as there is always stuff that is not on the main menu. Recently there has been this soup which is good I think it is a sweet hot and sour soup though they described as a minestrone. It is good and quite unlike anything I have tasted though there is an excess of broth. The noodle dishes are all great as the noodles are all handmade. You can really taste the difference. So if you are deciding between rice and noodles, go for the noodles. Many of the dishes can also be served in a soup form with the noodles submerged which is also quite good. Overall there is a lot of variety to please most anyone you bring with you. Next, the pricing is amazing. This place is giving McDonald's a run for its money. Most main dishes are under $7 and the portions are quite large. I would be shocked if you spent more than $20 on a meal for two and left without leftovers especially since there is no alcohol. Actually the drink selection is limited to tea or soda pretty much. The food generally comes out pretty quick so it's a good place if you are in a hurry. The staff is great. They try their best to be helpful and make you feel welcome despite the language barrier. They started to remember me by the second time I had come there which is impressive. I still remember that I came in once when it was empty with a few people and they were doing food prep on one of the tables. The immediately started to clean up and move to the back room and asked us to sit there. We said it wasn't necessary but they said it was the biggest table and they insisted. It's moments like that will make you feel welcome somewhere and go beyond what is normally defined as service. Seriously the people who work here are some of the nicest people I have met a restaurant and that alone makes me want to keep going back. The location is awful. It will put a lot of people off. It is a weird area under a tunnel. There are a lot of shady characters outside at times due to the proximity to the bus stop. However, in addition to being located next to both the Chinatown and Greyhound bus stops, it is conveniently located close to Reading Terminal Market, the Market East Station, and the Convention Center. I actually first discovered it wondering around after the flower show. Once again, you literally feel like you are underneath a bridge somewhere about to do a drug deal by the time you reach the place. Okay I'm exaggerating quite a bit but I have taken people there and they seemed a bit hesitant. It is safe though really. The interior leaves a lot to be desired. It is eerily lit by the excessive neon in the front windows. The furniture is all from IKEA and the wall is painted in an attempt to look more modern. There are pictures of food above the cashier counter that does not highlight the breadth or best parts of the menu. The place is very clean but feels damp due to the location being somewhat cave-like. There is a TV playing asian music videos which are often quite amusing. The place seems a lot nicer from the inside than the outside. Don't let the location or the restaurant's appearance put you off this really is a diamond in the rough. Dim Sum Garden will leave you pleasantly surprised and craving more. I can personally attest to this as I keep coming back for the food and the people.
(5)
Christina S.
I've been to this place a bunch of times and have always had great food. My favorite dish is the Fried bean curd noodle with soup. The portion is huge-one I could never finish, but I enjoy the first bite as much as I do the last, and that's saying something. The spring rolls are good as well. The scallion pancakes are good like some of the reviews say, but once was enough for me as far as those go. I've read a bunch of reviews on this place and I just have a few things to say about the comments in those reviews. If you're looking to get your a$$ kissed or an overly friendly server who is going to coddle you through your whole meal-don't go here. This isn't the place for you. If you're looking for a trendy spot with Ikea furniture throughout, stay away. These people serve delicious hot food quickly and for a fair price. As far as I'm concerned, that's good enough for me. The great thing about Philadelphia is that there's 950902920 other restaurants for you to choose from if you're looking for those kinds of things. With the limited seating at Dim Sum Garden, people who actually enjoy this restaurant would rather you go to those anyway.
(4)
Vinh T.
Don't let the shitty location and a cheap-looking restaurant fool you. Dimsum in this place rocks. Yes, it locates right next to the China Town bus station so please except people in front of the place and stare at you when you are trying to swallow their dumplings. Yes, it looks very cheap. Seem like they don't pay that much attention to the decor. Yes, they serves Shanghai style dimsum which means that there are lots of different kind of dumplings and shumai and the choices of dimsum are very limited. You won't find chicken feet or other food here.
(4)
Jimmy J.
Soooo good! Great BYOB and a great value for what you get. Soup dumplings are a must. Bok choy is delish. Mopo over rice and minded pork noodles are another go to. Super fast service, everyone is very friendly and happy to reach you how to eat the soup dumplings. The decor is a big step up. The high ceilings are great but it echos. So it does tend to get loud with few people.
(5)
Justin Z.
As a Shanghainese and a die hard juicy dumpling (xiao long bao) fan, this restaurant gets my stamp of approval. While in Philly, with all these celebrity chef restaurant choices, I managed to visit this place twice during my stay. We have tried many things on the menu; including the fried pork bun, wonton soup, onion pancake, spring rolls and turnip cake, etc. Everything tasted pretty authentic. However the juicy dumpling definitely stands out. These are probably the best dumplings I have had in the US.
(5)
Jenn P.
I ordered the pork-scallion potsticker soup and a side of scallion pancakes. Not the finest dining but, good solid food. The people working were friendly and you can't beat the price - under eight dollars. I would definitely have creamed my jeans as a traveler had I found this just stepping off the chinatown buses (as it is right next to the terminal).
(3)
G F.
Dim Sum Garden is a hidden gem -- a diamond in the rough. This food is so delicious, good, amazing, delectable, scrumptious, stupendous, and cheap. I can't believe it took me this long to review it. Everybody I've brought here just loves the food. I was first tipped off early of '09 about this restaurant when I asked a couple Chinese friends where to get good dumplings in Chinatown. A number of people told me to go here. So I did. And I've been back more times than I can remember since then. I've worked my way through most of the menu, excluding the rice dishes. Things have changed up a bit since Sally (worker/server with the bobbed haircut and always cool sneakers) and her mom took the helm. For instance, free ice water has been replaced by hot tea. Some breakfast-y items have been added to early morning, and new specials are now offered. However, my favorites remain the standard menu. The Siu Mai are so amazing. An order comes with four pieces, which includes sticky rice and mushroom/pork. The Cold Cucumber appetizer is also delicious and very light. The fried dumplings are a home run. Shanghai Steamed Buns are also a favorite of many. I can't tell you how many shirts have been splashed with these soup dumplings! And the handmade noodles. Yes! Get them without soup. Beef brisket type is great... as is the Pork and Pickled Cabbage. But they're all top-notch. The weakest is perhaps the Eel variety. Oh yeah, the surrounding area must be mentioned. It's the shits outside. You have the Chinatown bus next door, which brings in a lot of distasteful, aggressive people... not to mention sound pollution. There are the ever present vagrants to boot. And to top it off, this is all underneath the bleak concrete awning of this block. Your mother would probably be uncomfortable. But this has served well to keep this place a lesser known secret. The inside decor also doesn't speak to the greatness of the food. The neon lights that line the building-high windows add a nice cyberpunk touch. But don't let that dissuade you. Dim Sum Garden is the real deal.
(5)
Sean B.
Quick, simple, delicious, cheap. They have a limited but good menu and the service is friendly and fast. These won't be the best dumplings or shu mai you've ever had, but they will be good enough and they will be cheap as hell. Great place for a quick, relatively-healthy bite to eat.
(4)
Janabelle R.
Great soup dumplings and steamed dumplings. Small place and can get busy sometimes. Pretty good bubble tea as well.
(5)
Brittini S.
I love this place! It's the best dim sum in the city and the price is dirt cheap. The pork buns are a must and so is the seafood pancake. You shouldn't go there for the atmosphere but the food is authentic and always packed with Chinese locals... a good sign for sure! If you have a dim sum craving, this is the place!
(5)
Viraj P.
Fine, but my mind was not blown. The chicken feet came out dry and unseasoned, the "chicken on a stick" appetizer was served without any accompaniment, and the tofu soup was super greasy. The shrimp and chicken dumplings were standard. Some of the dishes were hot while others were served tepid at best. I was really sad I couldn't eat the soup dumplings so many have raved about because they have pork in them :( The best thing about this place was the sauces in the middle of the table- the ginger vinegar and the dumpling sauce were deeeelicious! Now if only I didn't need them to make my food wonderful :/
(3)
Paul C.
I really wish I could give 3.5 here, because that's what the rating really should be. If you come here, JUST get the dumplings; any variation of the dumpling ranges from good to amazing. The shanghai soup dumpling is the star here.....a good complement would be a dumpling that's pan fried. Don't get the other dishes really; they range from crappy to average at best. I've tried about 10 different dishes on the menu, and I've given up on finding something that's above average. As for the place, it's your basic hole in the wall in china town. The ladies that run the place are extremely nice and attentive to your needs.
(4)
Jonathan D.
Great dumplings with a good selection. The Shanghai style dumplings (soup inside) reminded me of one of my favorite dumpling shops in Tokyo (Din Tai Fung is a chain throughout Asia). The venue was much more casual and the dumplings a bit less greasy. They assumed I had never had that style of dumpling. But, I really liked that the staff was friendly and helped explain which sauce to use and how to eat the dumplings.
(4)
Kristin W.
What this place lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in good food and reasonable prices. We started with the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), which had good soup and flavorful filling. We also got the General Tso's Chicken which was tender and did not have too-thick breading although it could have used more broccoli in the dish. And to get a few tasty nutrients in there we also ordered some Chinese Broccoli. All around an enjoyable meal!
(4)
Jia Z.
They moved to 1020 race Street!
(1)
Donovan S.
This place is a dump like no other. But holy shit. Soup dumplings. Made proper. I have been coming here for a year now, and their soup dumplings have never disappointed. Not once. I recently tried their vegetable dumplings and was surprised that any other dumpling could compete on the same level. But they do! Also, their noodle dishes are awesome, but I try to avoid ordering the ones with meat as they tend to give you fattier cuts that I'm just not that into. Definitely one of the best ways to spend six dollars.
(5)
Jorge C.
Worst Chinese food ever had!! .. I'm not a dumpling person so I ordered regular food not feeling like walking around away from my hotel..
(1)
Robert W.
delicious noodle soup and soup dumplings. Fast service, great prices, awesome food... worth the drive from Baltimore.
(5)
Laura P. L.
The Juicy Pork Buns are a must! The scallion pancake is the best I have EVER had. The only think holding me back from 5 stars is that they don't deliver on grubhub. The place has no atmosphere- but who cares? It's incredibly delicious! The hand pulled noodles in soup with duck are amazing too! The best part- it's very inexpensive!
(4)
Cindy L.
My favorite Philly restaurant! My friend took me here. I was a bit surprised with the location, since it's under a dark bridge. Luckily, we were able to get a table. It was quite crowded. We ordered Shanghai juicy buns, wonton soup, wonton noodle soup and pumpkin cake. Some of the best Shanghai juicy buns I have tasted. It was flavorful and juicy. Surprisingly, the wonton soup and wonton noodle soup base tasted different. Both were well seasoned. I love the pumpkin cake. It was slightly crispy on the outside, chewy, with warm red bean on the inside. My friend is from China, and she raved that this was authentic Chinese food. Meal was reasonably price, and service was pretty decent. YUM YUM!
(5)
Brian H.
no cart, but that's ok! i've been here at least a dozen times and will definitely continue coming back. the service is somewhat inconsistent, especially for such a small place - it's hit or miss whether or not the tea is refilled quickly or the check is delivered at the end of the meal (i usually just go up to the counter to get it) but i can overlook those things since it is really cheap (and in those cases i just tip 15%, whereas i usually tip 20%). whatever as for the food - my girlfriend and i have never ordered any of the proper entrees/noodle dishes, rather we usually order steamed juicy buns - yummmm (only once were they not amazing since they were served on the cold side), some assorted steamed and pan-fried dumplings (good) and other random stuff including shumai (sometimes the wrapper is a little too thick), scallion pancakes (ok), triple steamed bun (not great/too bready for me), seaweed salad (ok, but once we received it and it was still a little frozen) and either hot and sour soup (once too gelatinous but other times delicious) or the chili cabbage soup (not bad for $1.50!). long story short - a little inconsistent, but they're cheap and the food is pretty good.
(3)
Karen Y.
this place has chinese food done in true casual chinese dining fashion; quick and to the point. the xiao long baos are fresh steamed and full of rich broth. not as good as what i can find in the so cal dim sum mecca of monterey park/alhambra, they are still quite delicious and 8 of them for less than $6, it's totally worth the trip down here for an order. i also ordered some low bok gow for my son and they do not makes these in the traditional cantonese way of pan fried squares with bits of pork and dried shrimp. instead the turnips are shredded and encased in a deep fried pastry. though completely unexpected, it was plenty tasty and my son had no complaints. while they are missing the appeal of the roaming carts, it's nice to have made to order dim sum as another chinatown option.
(4)
Shengjun H.
Ok, wow. I am so glad that I don't live in Philly, because if I did, I would live in this restaurant and eat Xiao Long Bao every hour for the rest of my life. Then I could guarantee myself a happy death. First, a few clarifications. Dumplings here - what I assume everyone else is referring to - refer to the first two things on the menu. Shanghai style (as opposed to the smaller and less juicy Taiwanese Ding Tai Fun style) Steamed Pork Juicy Buns are what the English (Chinglish?) menu refer to them as. Those are what you need to order. Not the dumplings. You want the Juice Buns, Juicy Buns, or Juicy Burns - they don't discriminate over spelling. Purist? Get the first thing on the menu. Like seafood? The second. Love everything fried? Get the third. Xiao long bao are meat dumplings with a thin flour skin shaped like large upside down turnip and a large amount of delicious broth inside. For the first two, which are served in a large (!) metal steamer stray, very gently separate the dumplings from the paper and cradle them in your soup spoon. Take care not to break the skin... if you do, you'll see the delicious soup drip into the steamer, far away from your yearning mouth. Blow on it to cool it, because it will otherwise burn off your entire mouth with its blazing heat. Then blow again. Seriously. They're that hot. Then, gently bite through the skin and delight in the porky (and crabby?) amazingness that will fill your mouth. For the third fried variety of Juicy Burns (ironicly accurate), there will be less juice inside and a thicker dough skin to stand up to the fryer, but there will still be juice - so don't spill it! You can get the other type of dumplings too, but if you do, you'll miss out on the best that this place has to offer. Good Shanghai style xiao long bao are rare in America. Not to say that the rest of their food isn't good! Their Scallion Pancake is solid, with a nice flaky crust and minimal grease. The wonton soup is solid, the dumpling soup was ok. I wasn't super impressed by the plain dumplings here, but I'd imagine that they are better fried than in the soup. They also have Shanghai style ShiuMai, which are essentially steamed wonton wrappers around a combination of soy sauce drizzled sticky rice, shiitaki mushrooms, and pork. They're not the best on earth (uh... Shanghai's are better), but they're worth a shot if you've never had them before. Their drinks are good too! The bubble tea and watermelon smoothies were delicious, though they took a while to come out. The staff is nice and friendly and their hours are long enough to tempt anyone on their way home at 10:30. Not to hate too much, but if you compare anything in this place to Costco, then you should've asked the servers to recommend something for you. There may be sub-par things on the menu, but it takes special skill to pick out something that actually tastes bad. I would know. Within two days, I had tried about a quarter of the menu and wasn't disappointed by anything. And lastly... as it seems that I could go on about this place forever.... this place is dirt cheap. Less than $4 for a good soup, less than $6 for a good sized soup with noodles to share, less than $7 for ten xiao long bao. I could live here forever and not even run out of money. Swoon.
(5)
Chelsea M.
I love this place! I've been going here for years. They have good customer service and I love the waiters and waitresses they remember us. We always get the dim sum soup buns, dumplings, the peaking duck and the scallion pancakes. great dim sum if your in the area.
(4)
Colleen M.
I've been to Dim Sum garden a few times - it's my favorite go-to when my mother and sister and I go to the convention center for an event, and is generally a great inexpensive lunch. But last night just sealed the deal for me for this place. My husband and I were celebrating a special occasion, and were going to use a gift certificate to go to a much fancier Chinese restaurant, but much to our dismay, the certificate was nowhere to be found. Still feeling the need to celebrate, now with a solid Chinese food craving, but not a lot of money in our wallets, we decided to go to Dim Sum Garden. We found out that it was BYO - how did I not know this before? So we grabbed a bottle of wine and drove to the restaurant. Before, service has always been so-so - not AWFUL, but certainly nothing to write home about. This evening, we ended up wanting to try new things, so we asked the waitress what the best menu items were, and then chose all her recommendations. Holy Hannah, this meal was DEELICIOUS. And our server was conscientious and helpful, and helped us pick more food for us to take home for lunches today. And the whole bill, the dinner with some leftovers and some extras for lunch the next day, came to less than it probably would have been for one person at the other restaurant. I was actually glad that I'd lost the gift certificate by the end. Not really. But it definitely took the sting out of the whole incident. The perfect meal for me here is now: cold marinated sliced pork garlic sauteed spinach shredded pork noodles pork soup dumplings scallion pancakes
(5)
Serene F.
Ghetto looking as hell but solid, delicious (and greasy) Shanghainese food. This is one of the few places in Philly where you can get hot soup dumplings that are not previously frozen (at $3 less than NY prices). Also try their noodle soups - large portions and not heavily dosed with MSG. So cheap, you can feed the whole family! Plus, kitchen looked clean and the waitress was polite - a rare find in Chinatown hole-in-the-walls!
(5)
J B.
Best vegetarian steamed buns anyone has ever and will ever make in the history and future of vegetarian steamed buns. Nice employees. Freaking amazing. Quick.
(5)
Christine B.
Went here with a group of 8 on Chinese new year's eve. It's not the traditional brunch dim sum that you get from the carts, but there are lots of dumpling options, and an assortment of Chinese food type dishes. Everything I tried was good. I went with the pork and noodles hoping it would be like dan dan noodles, and after adding some spice, it was in the same family, but not exactly the same thing. All of the dumplings were tasty, and I loved the scallion pancakes. Price was about 15 a person which I would consider a pretty cheap dinner.
(3)
Rebecca Y.
This was the absolutely worst customer service experience of my life. I have never been treated so rudely by anyone at a business before. Basically, the workers at this restaurant harassed my friend while she was IN THE BATHROOM by banging on the door and yelling at her to get out, talked s*** about me and my friend in Chinese (assuming that I couldn't understand what they were saying), and then lied about doing so when we confronted them about it (in Chinese of course, which just shocked the hell outta them. Wish I could have captured the look of horror on their faces when they realized I understood everything they had said!) My friend and I came here because we were craving some xiaolongbao, but what we got was an awful experience that I never want to repeat again. My friend wrote a Yelp review about it, which Yelp initially took down because they found it offensive, but I'll vouch for her experience, because it really WAS that bad. For details, here's the link to her review: yelp.com/biz/dim-sum-gar… Their xiaolongbao are pretty good, but it's not worth it when you're treated like crap. I will never come here again and I encourage my fellow Yelpers to not do so, either.
(1)
Sarah F.
Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me
(3)
Ben P.
High end, this is not. Fancy, this is not. Good-ass food, THIS IS. Seriously, son. This place is one step below the Ikea cafeteria in terms of look and feel. You couldn't pick a worse place in the city to open a restaurant. Fortunately for them, their food is off the hook. Dumplings and juicy buns that are absolutely the balls. Traditional dishes like sesame chicken, et al that will blow the chopsticks off your local go-to joint. If I lived downtown, I would be here weekly. Shit, I live in South Philly and I might anyway.
(5)
Jihye T.
There is always someone eating here, at most odd times of the day. During meal times, particularly on weekends, it could get quite crowded. So, even though the restaurant looks a bit sketchy from the outside, I decided to I had to check out what the fuss was about. The soup dumplings here will satisfy the craving - plenty of hot juice in the bun, and the pork flavor is nice enough. However, I found the skin to be a bit too chewy and the soup lacked the garlicky/ gingery aroma that typically adds another dimension to the pork flavor.
(3)
Jack F.
Me: "How late are you open later tonight [Christmas Eve]?" Server #1: "10:30" Me: "What about tomorrow" Server #1: [Says nothing when she realizes I'm not eating] Server #2: "10:30" [in a rushed and annoyed manner as if she's shooing you away] Service may not be ideal but the soup dumplings are amazing. Dim Sum Garden makes an ideal pit stop by the bus with prices you'd expect from Chinatown ($5.25 for 8 steamed dumplings). Yeah, I'd come back even if they were rude. [Last Visit: December 25, 2011]
(4)
Michael P.
You know that scene at the beginning of Blade Runner where Gaff catches up with Deckard at the chinese noodle stand? The first time I ever went to Dim Sum Garden, that popped right into my mind. Visiting here is the epitome of finding a diamond in the rough. Its a former donut shop tucked under the Hilton parking garage, with the chinatown buses lined up outside. The giant plate glass windows are lined with neon, and a when you peek inside it looks like a typical chinese takeout place. Once you enter, you'll find an amazing little restaurant with fantastic food. The shanghai buns (Xiao long bao) are a welcome departure from normal dumplings. Once you master the art of eating them, they become a welcome treat. The Siu mai are delicious, and the scallion pancake is nice, crisp, and flaky. The brisket noodles are terrific, but I much prefer the stewed eel noodles, as sushi has made me love eel. Service is pretty good, sometimes it can feel like they've forgotten you a little bit, but generally they'll keep things moving and top off your water when you need it. Sometimes there can be a language barrier, depending on your server. Overall, its a place that is worth a visit, to try something different than the chinese you're used to.
(5)
K. A. N. A. K.
I mis-remembered the name of this restaurant, even though I've eaten here at least 50 times. I posted my original review and an update (since I've been here 50 times). 4 stars for brisket noodle soup and Shanghai shumai--it's made especially for lazies like myself, since the soup and dipping sauce did not require any seasoning adjustment and the brisket was fairly meaty (and not bony or gristly). I don't know if Shanghai shumai is actually a regional dimsum, but it has sticky rice with bits of mushroom and pork I've always previously encountered in a banana leaf, only in this case it comes in a dumpling wrapper. 5 stars for the pork juicy buns and scallion pancakes. (Don't call your juicy buns order "soup buns," unless you like hot salty liquids squirted in your mouth AS A FOOD. I'm not going to judge your other activities.) I love the chewy pan-fry at the bottom of each soft bun. The dipping sauce is perfect, as ever. I think the primary waitress is charming (she very tactfully chided my boyfriend that he and his coworker hadn't eaten lunch there in a while, even though the food is consistently good).
(4)
Dharam P.
Skip the fried rice or "traditional Chinese" food. Get the chive soup and dumplings.
(4)
Mina L.
It was the first time my boyfriend and I had stopped by here after being recommended here by a friend to try the juicy buns. The place has terrible decor, wobbly chairs, dirty chopsticks, and okay service. As soon as I walked in, the two hispanic cooks stared directly at me and smiled/laughed... which is kind of creepy especially for my first time here. After being sat down, we eventually chose our dishes to try: the Shanghai juicy buns, pork fried rice, and the fried chives/pork dumplings. Out of all of these, the best dish was the juicy buns. It was the best part of the visit and possibly one of the only high points. The fried dumplings could have been more crunchy and less soggy. It was only fried on one side. The WORST dish was the pork fried rice. The serving size was small, tasted too salty, had very little pork (mostly little balls of overcooked meat), and the rice was hard.. o__o Overall, 3 stars for the juicy buns and fried dumplings and -2 stars for decor, fried rice, and service. We would like to try them again for their noodles and more juicy buns!!
(3)
Donald J.
What happened to the Dim Sum Gardn I usd to know? Ate here about a year ago. The soup noodle was exquisite. But not this time. Had the Prok and Crab and an order of the scallion pancake. Totally disappointed! The soup was bland nd the pancake a messy grease affair. Are there better days to eat here than others? This is a Sunday.
(2)
Aggie V.
I went into this little gem for dinner today, and boy, oh boy!!! I'm sold! I got chicken and broccoli, which is absolutely THE best I've ever tasted. Next time, I'll have to try the dumplings!!!
(4)
Jeanny C.
This is my second time coming here. First time was really late at night, so I felt the food was left over from the morning. This time, I came on a lunch hour during the weekdays. The food was much better, but still didn't meet up to my standards. My friend and I ordered 2 hot and sour soup, turnip cake, pan fried chicken dumplings, and crab meat & pork xiao long bao. The turnip cake was not the usual traditional one, so I didn't like it as much. Not because I wanted the traditional ones, but simply because it wasn't better. The hot and sour soup is pretty good, they add tomatoes compared to traditional ones, which I actually like better. The xiao long bao was definitely below standard (compared to Shanghai Cafe or Joe's Shanghai in NYC). I liked the chicken dumplings, it was good. The meal came out to be around $28 plus tip, I think that's pretty ok. Not sure if I want to return, I don't hate it, but I also don't love it either. So very mixed feeling.
(3)
Vernon D.
Want dumplings, They got a smorgasbord of dumplings. All of which that i have tried are delicious. What is even better is getting to admire the craftsmanship of the art of dumpling making when the staff are seated in the dining area creating the little morsels of delight. Overall this is a great spot for fast food dim sum, and well i have to say i delight in the duck gizzard and duck tongue in salt sauce. Not my spot for Noodle soup, but its fair in taste and quality. great for a pit stop after shopping at the Terminal.
(4)
Meg S.
Low on atmosphere, but decent food. We had the scallion pancakes and the soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes were good, greasy but good. I didn't heed previous reviews on the soup dumplings, however (I didn't Yelp it beforehand and see what happens...), and ended up getting a bit of a burn on my mouth...but other than that, delicious and cheap. My reason for three stars is that the overall atmosphere is really unpleasant. Something with the overhead lights gives you that feeling of being in convenience store at 3 in the morning, and not in a good way. It'd be an easy 4 stars with better lighting, decoration on the walls, etc, but I'm just not feeling it now.
(3)
Lilli C.
I had just gotten off the bus and stopped in here because it was close and I was hungry. I really wasn't expecting much, but the food here is delicous and cheap! I got the sauteed homemade noodles with pork. The noodles were fantastic- they were light and fluffy and were seasoned in this flavorful brown sauce. I will definitely be back here to try the soup dumplings and their other dim sum items.
(4)
Gina M.
What a terrific place to enjoy my favorite food. You just cannot go wrong with some Dim Sum. And at the prices they offer, you can try as many as you want! When I first walked in, I almost wanted to hit my sister because the place looks awful. It is really tacky and ghetto, but we're in Philadelphia. I don't know why that shocked me! But I sat down anyway and we ordered away. The scallion pancakes ( I hope I remembered the name correctly) were to die for. They were absolutely delicious. We ordered a bunch of different varieties of Dim Sum and there was only one I didn't care for. The pan fired vegetable dim sum had a bit of a spice to it and I don't care for that. My sister, however, loved them. Everything we ordered was great and came to us fast. I loved the little kid that comes over to teach you how to eat dim sum too. This place, as previously mentioned in someone else's yelp, is a perfect definition of a 'hole-in-the-wall'. Go check it out!
(4)
Mike L.
I've had better dim sum to say the least. While the prices initially look good, you can normally get dim sum for far cheaper. I had heard good things about their soup dumplings, but I'm sorely disappointed by the ones I got. The soup was far sweeter than I'm used to. The Siu Mai was good though. As were the shrimp dumplings.
(3)
Tim P.
I had some time to kill today once I got off work. So I headed into Chinatown to checkout Dim Sum Garden, since its been one of my bookmarks for awhile. I ordered the pork buns and spring rolls for lunch. Even though I thought that all of the hype surrounding these pork buns would amount to nothing more than a novelty, these buns turned out to be well worth the ride to get them. Thankfully I read enough reviews to know how to not burn my mouth with the broth inside. I could have eaten much more, but what I had satisfied my appetite for the afternoon. I'll have to plot my next lunch here soon. Not many seats available inside at noon. But I'd just as happy taking the order to go.
(4)
Chelsea B.
Get the soup dumplings and the scallion pancakes. You will seriously not regret it! I've never had soup dumplings before and WOW were they delicious. The pork and soup filling is only made better by the different sauces that send them over the top. This place doesn't scream classy when you're walking up to it, but the service was friendly and helpful when we didn't know what to order. The two of us split pork soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, and a type of chicken potstickers all for under $15 (and they did prefer we used cash with a bill that small, so be prepared) and it was enough food that we could barely finish it all. I felt a little self conscious going in and not knowing what to expect, but there are all types of people in there (tourists too) so you don't have to worry about looking out of place. I live in the Midwest, and I dream about these dumplings.
(5)
Sarah H.
Once you've mastered how to eat these delicious soup dumplings without juices exploding everywhere and burning your face off, you're cool in my book. Yeah the underpass location is sketchy, but an inexpensive AND delicious center city lunch isn't perfect.
(4)
Virginia C.
I wanted this to be really good, and I dragged a gf through these dark sketchy allies at night to get here.but these soup dumplings.. EH. 1) Soup Dumplings (fresh, but the fat in the soup dumplings was gross/unbearable). I was just drinking soup/fat/the dumpling had no real flavor). And I know my soup dumplings! 2) Redeeming quality to the meal- The vegetarian steamed dumplings were actually the best! All and all, Yelpers hyped up this place. Disappointed and on the search for my soup dumplings again. :(
(2)
Linda W.
This place is located under an overpass a block away from the Chinatown sign. My friend and I were a little hesitant to walk in since it looked desolate, more like a cafeteria than a dim sum place. However, we did step in and tried the Xiao long bao and the scallion pancake, which both was really good. The service was pretty lacking tho. The man or lady (we couldn't tell which the server was) was not friendly and had a grim face on, but besides from the location and the service, come and try the food.
(4)
Crystal E.
Cheap and delicious steamed pork soup dumplings. My sis-in-law loves the fried version of the soup dumpling. Try both and decide for yourself. The crab soup dumpling is also good, but the pork is better. Other notable favorites are the tomato and egg and pancake scallion. Pass on the Chinese broccoli with garlic.
(4)
M H.
This place is amazing... I am a foodie and i love asian food. This place is a bit of a hole in the wall, location may seem a bit strange (it is right next to the china town bus station); but, its def the best dim sum in town. I should say that if u are looking for traditional american-style Chinese this may not be the place for you. BUT if u are looking for the real-deal dim sum this is your spot!
(5)
Jaime J.
I have seriously walked past this place at least 100 times and never gave it a second look - truly my oversight! This is a clear example of 'don't judge a book by it's cover' or 'it's what's on the inside that counts'. Dim Sum Garden is located on North 11th Street right next to Reading Terminal Market within the 'tunnel' where the bus station is located. The location is less than ideal with all of the noise and exhaust from the buses - but if Anthony Bourdain has taught me anything, it's to expect wonderful things in the oddest of places! Soup Dumplings. #1 and #2 on the menu...also called Juicy Buns...are a must-try! Filled with a light ginger-laced broth and pork filling (similar to what you get in typical pork dumplings) and served with a dark ginger sauce - these little pouches will have your eyes rolling back in your head! We had also ordered the fried pork dumplings - delicious and perfect as well! DSG also offers several rice and noodle entrees. The noodle entrees can either be served dry or as soup. Dry is a bit misleading as the noodles are actually served with a sweet and earthy brown sauce and choice of meat. The sauce has hints of Chinese five spice and garlic. I had ordered the Crispy Duck Noodle. The duck was fried and served with a glaze similar to the sauce on the noodles. The entrees are served with sauteed bok choy and pickled vegetables. We enjoyed our dinner so much, we came back the next day for lunch! I think my next trip will be a meal consisting only of dumplings! DSG needs to make a t-shirt that says, "Juicy Buns"!
(4)
Leslie J.
This place may lack decor, but it is on point with their staple dishes. Shumai is not your typical -- sticky rice surprise! Scallion pancakes are nice and crisp. The handmade noodles are no joke here. You can taste just how fresh they are and the texture is just right. And that dumpling sauce is quite memorable..I don't know what they put in that tasty potion but it is G double O D--GOOD!
(4)
Ally D.
Agreed on the xiao long bao soup dumplings. Very tasty and definately would return for those. But I warn anyone from the West Coast coming here to feel like SF/LA Chinatown home. I think she said this is "Shanghai" dim sum. I might have the location wrong but regardless the differences are huge. First and foremost, a shu mai is more like a dumpling with sticky rice and a bit of meat (rice ball), not pure pork with a shrimp on top. The Har Gow uses tiny tiny shrimp and no ginger, so it ends up tasting like a really cheap version of Har Gow. The onion pancake I think I've had better; it was more dense than I like. The pork potstickers were ok. We got a noodle dish that was pretty good with a nice tea flavor to it. Overall, if I didn't have expectations for tastes of home or didn't know better I wouldn't have been so disappointed. But I feel like a lot of Philly Asian food reviews are done by people who don't know better. Coming from SF, there aren't exactly a ton of Asians here.
(3)
Samantha H.
There is not much I can say about Dim Sum Garden that hasn't been said before. Every time I go I get those phenomenal soup dumplings. (Or, if you want to sound smart and cultured, xiao long bao.) Absolutely out of this world, so tasty and fun to eat too. I'm glad I read how to eat them before visiting, though, or I imagine I'd be totally lost. The trick is to bit a small hole, suck out the soup, and then eat the dumpling. Even with this method I usually end up spilling a little. Just adds to the fun though! Of course, I can't ignore those scallion pancakes. Perfectly crisp and tasty and well complemented by the dipping sauces provided on the table. I have no idea what either of them are, but both are really good. I like sticking the dumplings in them after getting the soup out too. I like taking a friend or two to split these with otherwise I will seriously gorge myself. Not that I don't otherwise. So next time you maybe just got out of a show at the Troc or have a good twenty minutes until your train arrives at Market East but your tummy's grumbling, skip the toasted ravioli from WaWa (though that's good too) and stop by Dim Sum Garden. Probably the same price, too!
(5)
Michael B.
Shanghai Steamed Buns. Try to say it out loud, without snickering. Just try. Done laughing? Good, now go order some from Dim Sum Garden. For those of you who haven't had them before, here's the way to eat them. Bite the top off, blow inside to cool the soup down, and then drop in some sauce (if you so desire). Pop the dumpling into your mouth. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. Eventually, Nirvana will be reached. The other food is top notch as well, and I'd recommend ordering a side of some sort of veggie with the dumplings.
(5)
Nikita K.
I'm allergic to gluten so I can't eat the dumplings, which they are known for. So I always get the minced pork noodle (dry with rice noodle) and it is absolutely delicious!!!!
(4)
Caroline V.
You go here for the food, not the ambiance. It's under the tunnel a couple doors away from Wawa on Arch, next door to the chinatown bus terminal, but it's worth the visit. Cheap tasty food with fast friendly service. Once you sit down you'll notice 3 different containers of sauces to use with your food (fave is the ginger vinegar sauce & the hot chili!). And they'll bring you hot tea (as expected for an asian restaurant) We always order the soup dumplings (only place I've found these in philly) and the scallion pancakes (soooooo good). On a cold day, the soup dumplings are the best thing, make sure you have a soup spoon at the ready b/c once you bite in, hot soup will come gushing out (you've been warned). Great cheap find and despite the area, I've taken my mom and she loved it! It's all about the FOOD.
(4)
Steve M.
Ok Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) subpar level compared to joe's shanghai in nyc/flushing but it's the best philly can offer right now. the rice dishes and noodle soups are not worth getting. it's kind of an embarrassment to put out these kind of low quality rice dishes and noodle soups. But if you crave some soup dumplings this is the place to go in philly.
(2)
Evonne L.
disclaimer: this place is right next to an underpass in what looks like a restaurant that should be attached to a gas station. thus, it is not called high class dim sum garden for a reason. once you keep that in mind visit this place (in the daytime i would reccommend) and actually taste the steamed soup dumplings, you'll realize that its not too bad. i'm giving this place 3 stars SOLELY on the soup dumps, in which good ones are actually hard to find. thin skin, juicy but not greasy broth, and tasty meat center is what i'm talking about. this is definitely a good cheap eats place, but don't expect mind blowing amazingness.
(3)
Christine O.
I love me some dim sum!! Especially ones with soup inside at really cheap prices. The place is conveniently located in front of where the big buses from NY-DC stop at so you can quickly get in for a good meal. + cheap prices + soup dumplings (crab or just pork) DELICIOUS + pan fried dumplings are delicious + sauce is delicious + authentic presentation ++ everything delicious!! - only one bathroom - small place Wish northern VA had a place like this... every time we go to Philly, this place is a must go to and we tell all our friends too (they haven't been disappointed).
(5)
Chris W.
This divey place that looks like you want to stay away has some of the best dumplings I have ever had! Place was recommended on chef's feed app and it did not disappoint. They recommended the pork or pork and crab soup dumplings. They were delicious, the staff was friendly enough to tell me how to eat them also and which of the condiments were to be used with what I ordered. Go don;t be scared of the looks of it and enjoy the food.
(4)
JR W.
Okay...I only go for 2 things (sometimes 3): pork soup dumplings pan fried pork soup bun (shrimp dumpling) Although soup dumplings have become synonymous with Shanghai, they are actually offered all over the region in China. The pan fried soup bun is a rare creature, originated and typically can be found only in Shanghai and its outskirts. Anyway, both are really good. The KEY is that you must eat them while they are hot. Take out is a no-no bc the soup quickly gelatinizes. In fact, the owner might berate you if you do not remember this. They prepare everything fresh so the pan fried ones will take at least 15 min, but the steamed soup dumplings are much faster. It's definitely hole in the wall, too busy for the small space, and somewhat suspect in terms of cleanliness (my baby caught a cold bug 2 out of the last 3 times we've gone), but one bite, and you'll understand why we keep going back.
(4)
David L.
Overall, I can sum up with: good Dim Sum. I haven't ordered anything off the menu, and that's not what they specialize in, but for dim sum I don't think you can find anything better in Philly. The matuan (sesame-coated glutinous rice balls stuffed with red bean) were every bit as good as the ones I got most mornings in China, and the siu mai was top-notch. Everything else we ordered was almost as good. The staff was friendly enough, and willing to entertain my poor attempts at quizzing them about the contents of various dumplings in Cantonese. They also understood my follow-up queries in Mandarin, and replied in either Mandarin or English to allow me to save some face. Manager was both polite and tolerant of my chatting with him on the way out. The atmosphere left something to be desired; though it was very "dim sum," it was a little on the drab side. I've been in some truly palatial dim sum kitchens before, and this didn't quite measure up. The food, though, did.
(4)
Joylynn H.
This is not your typical push the cart dim sum place. Poor Philly for rating this place an overall 4 star, when it's a big disappointment. However, the soup dumplings was a pleasant surprise.
(1)
simone H.
A true diamond in the rough. The dingy fast food looking exterior is quite a deception to the incredibly authentic Chinese dishes inside. The crab/pork soup dumplings are a must, and the sweet soy sauce in the porcelain jars on the table are a perfect accompaniment. I found the best way to eat their soup dumplings with the least amount of wasted juice is to place the dumpling onto a spoon, bite a tiny hole on the side, let it cool, carefully sip the juice, pour soy sauce into the hole, and take a bite. Divine. The braised beef over noodles or the understated eggs and tomatoes over rice make perfect main course. Dishes are full of flavor, but not too greasy or heavily sauced. Amazingly cheap, and although not the ideal place for a first date, it's perfect for dinner with a few friends.
(5)
Jillian N.
The food is absolutely delicious, and the service is attentive and pleasant. I still can't get over how good the food was for the price - two people can get VERY full off of $20 worth of food. The only reason I can't give this 5 stars is because the restaurant itself was very basic. Ikea furniture, bright florescent lights. It's basically the best hole-in-the-wall.
(4)
Bill F.
I eat here every time I visit Philadelphia. The food is so delicious. Really it's comfort food. The family/staff are professional and friendly. They make you feel like a welcomed guest in their home.
(5)
Jeffry C.
everything I had here was mediocre. pan fried buns (xian jian bao) was all flavorless bun boiled dumpling was ok. pork chop rice sucked. way too much starch in the sauce. xiaolongbao was whatevs the meat in the beef pocket was cold and bland but it's cheap!
(2)
Seema F.
This place is very overrated, which is strange since it's a dingy little place under the overpass by the convention center bus station. It's not really a a dim sum restaurant like the name suggests. The actual menu has standard Chinese fare and the dim sum menu has about 18 items, many of which are not even dim sum (scallion pancake, french fries, and a fried chicken and fries combo?!) We ordered scallion pancake, panfried chives and pork bun, Shanghai crab and pork juicy bun (xiao long bao), shrimp dumpling, and shanghai siumai. The pan-fried chive buns were decent, but a bit small. The scallion pancake was crispy, but fairly standard. The shrimp dumpling was the most basic dumpling you can get. It was just a piece of shrimp in a steamed wrapper. Not very good. The shanghai siumai was very interesting--it was a purse shaped dumpling, rather than the standard siumai shape, filled with what appeared to be rice and meat. The juicy bun was about the best thing there, but with the tiny plates and spoons, it was difficult to eat without spilling everywhere. My only other complaint is that the tables have chili sauce, ginger sauce, and dumpling sauce, but no soy like all the other dim sum restaurants seem to have. I like all those sauces, but I really need soy for certain dumplings. Overall, it's a ok place to grab a dumpling while waiting for the bus. The juicy dumpling was good, but it is nothing I would go out of my way for.
(3)
Kristin H.
I've been hitting the really yummy food jackpot lately! And it's about time since I've walked by Dim Sum garden, like, a million zillion times. So, a zillion years ago, I tried Dim Sum while living in Chicago and I hated it. It just wasn't that good, leaving a friend and I sitting there asking ourselves "Is this what non-Americanized Chinese food tastes like or does this just suck?". I remember the best thing from that meal being a turnip cake, otherwise, I felt like this vegetarian was mostly left hung out to dry. The cool little cart didn't even make it better, either. Although I still don't have the answers to these questions, I am so happy to tell you that everything I tried tonight at the Dim Sum Garden was delicious! I found myself here after a friend suggested that we and three other ladies meet here for dumplings before a show at the Union Transfer. For around $15 each (with tip), all of us gals shared the bok choy, scallion pancake, and a whole lot of dumplings! We all left feeling pretty full and pleased with our food. I'm going to go ahead and say that the scallion pancake was the most tasty for the price ($2.50), but the bok choy was something I could eat an entire plate of (theory almost tested: I shared, but it was mostly all for me). The dumplings definitely held their own. Between the shrimp and the veggie, I couldn't declare a winner because they were so equally good. I might have liked the veggie quite a bit because someone ordered theirs pan fried, which made them a little special. I recommend trying both steamed and fried: each method of preparation gives each variety of dumpling a new taste. Definitely try the different sauces at each table, too, which were soy sauce blends of deliciousness. Our service, the food, and the prices are all great. Dim Sum Garden may be my new favorite place in Chinatown! Yeah! Keep it growin', guys.
(5)
Sara S.
DIM SUM GARDEN!!! GO! EAT DELICIOUS DUMPlINGS!!!! Ok- back to using my indoor voice. My love/dining companion and I have been coming here for years and I can't believe I haven't submitted a review. Each visit makes me excited to return. Items that you must order to fully fall madly in dumpling love: -steamed pork dumplings (soupy goodness awaits!) -pan fried veggie dumplings. They're big time tasty. -Shanghai SiuMai, a lovely combination of sweet sticky rice, pork and mushrooms. -daikon cake (turnip cake as said by the waiter) Something that has really made me love coming here is that when its quiet sometimes you catch somebody hand making the dumplings. And the value is hard to beat. I took one star away because when its busy it can be utter chaos and there is little organization for moments like that.
(4)
Isaac N.
Loved it! We visited Phili last week and went for dinner. The service, hospitality, food, flavors and price everything was Awesome. I highly recommend them. Don't forget to try the dumplings.
(5)
A R.
Just wanted to update, I am told that the business receiving the good reviews closed in 2013 and another place opened with the same name in the same location. The review I left is for the new business
(3)
Carol C.
I know sometimes we can get in the mood for just some down and dirty Chinese food, especially if it involves soup dumplings, and even if it means dropping by a shady looking joint under the bridge complete with Ikea furniture. I've been here multiple times, and have willingly sacrified cleanliness and service for some bomb soup dumplings. HOWEVER. There is still a LIMIT to the disgustingness and horrible service one can handle. First of all, we arrived with a party of 6 - maybe a bit large for this tiny joint, because things seemed to have fallen apart after we arrived. 1) They left used napkins on our chairs. Not wanting to touch them, I tried to ask a server for a napkin so I could get rid of it, but nope, expecting them to merely hand me a spare napkin was too much to ask. I eventually had to walk over to another table to get a napkin. 2) ONE person ordered out of the six, which apparently terrified the server because she ran away and never returned. After the ONE person ordered, ALL HIS FOOD CAME OUT within 3 minutes, which would've been pretty awesome...IF ALL OF US HAD ALREADY ORDERED. Basically, he began eating his food before our second person even ordered. 3) When we got a different server (yes, our server had disappeared off the face of the earth), she decided to take our menus before we even ordered. I had to remind her that only ONE of the 6 of us had ordered and took the menus back. 4) After ordering our soup dumplings, she brought out one plate at a time, which is fine. HOWEVER! While we were eating out of one of the plates, she came by with the second batch, and placed them ON TOP of the one we were eating out of. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 5) While we were searching for any server to get our check at the end, I witnessed the main worker work the register, then wipe her greasy forehead, walk over to the kitchen, and pick up the food with her BARE HANDS and place them on plates before serving it to the table next to us. Honestly, Sakura's dimsum might be a little more pricey, and a little too clean for when you're in the mood for cheap Chinese food, but it is definitely worth it if you're avoiding the risk of getting hepatitis/food poisoning/frustrations from the filthiness and stupidity of Dim Sum Garden.
(1)
Andre A.
Despite the name, this is definitely NOT the original Dim Sum Garden, but they don't want you to know that. The *real* Dim Sum Garden, the one that earned all the 5-star reviews, used to be in this location, but they moved to Race Street and have a different page on Yelp. This place, the old location, reopened one day under different ownership and continued doing business under the same name as if nothing happened. Can you say copycat? The food isn't terrible... but it's no match for the real place. Until I figured out the switch, I was left wondering why the quality at one of my favorites in town dropped so noticeably. It's a shame, because they're banking on the good name of a completely different place. Do yourself a favor: look up the real Dim Sum Garden and go there instead.
(2)
S L.
Small family place... Great Dim sum and friendly staff. Gotta try Number 1 and Number 9. My wife and I wanted to try dim sum for V- Day!! So glad we did.... Green Tea was awsome. If you want good Dim sum this is a must place. Fast service with a great price!!
(5)
Jojo Y.
å°ç¬¼åŒ…ä¸é”™ï¼Œæ±å¤šçš®è–„，肉一般。但是锅贴, 上海馄饨，生煎ä¸è¡Œã€‚生煎皮太åŽï¼Œè€Œä¸”没有æ±ã€‚感觉碗ç·ä¸æ˜¯å¾ˆå¹²å‡€ã€‚还ä¸çŸ¥é“å’Œrace st. 上的dim sum garden比哪个。。
(3)
David G.
The food was great. It was so cold in the place that we had to eat with heavy coats on
(3)
Cindy C.
Love their soup dumplings and beef/pork packets. Simply delicious, and everything tastes really fresh. It's cheap too!
(5)
Lisa C.
Went here for a late dinner (around 9pm). Xia Long Bao (soup dumplings) were good. Skin was not too thick or thin and there was an adequate amount of soup. The vinegar that they have in the jar is too strong tasting for the XLBs though. Chilli cabbage shredded pork noodle (lo mein noodle) was okay, It wasn't too greasy, which is always a good thing. Hot and sour soup was NOT what I expected. It was NOT spicy and it was NOT sour. It was slightly sweet, perhaps from the pieces of tomatoes they add in there. The consistency was also a bit watery. Price was decent. About 15 for all 3 dishes.
(2)
Ng T.
Came here after work with some colleagues for dinner. I was concerned that we were going to a place for dim sum during dinner time since dim sum is generally brunch/lunch. After one look at the menu, I realized that this was not a dim sum joint, but a Shanghainese dumpling/noodle place. Nevertheless, we ordered primarily what we could find of classic dim sum dishes (soup dumplings, shao mai, shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes), a fish appetizer (a co-worker's favorite) and a beef brisket noodle to fill us up. Soup dumplings were quite good and the best thing we ordered. This should probably be more obviously celebrated on the menu because it was the best thing we ordered. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The shao mai were strangely filled with glutinous rice, which are very startling when you expect a meat filled dumpling. The shrimp dumplings were a disappointment; the skin was completely opaque (the should be translucent), fell apart when we picked it up, and did not taste particularly fresh. The scallion pancake was very thick and as a result tasted a little doughy. The fish tasted like it was canned once and then seasoned (pretty good for a canned job). The noodles were OK, but too oily for me and sadly did not come with much beef. The food is not bad if you are not familiar with real Chinese food (certainly better than most take-out joints), but it falls short if you know what you're ordering. Pros: It's cheap! Also the service was very friendly. Apparently the new one is better.
(2)
Herb L.
Haven't been myself recently, but my wife's been a few times, and she says the service isn't as good as previous. The better staff got shifted to their new place Sakura down the street, we think. Any updates/commentary/corrobation of that from folks?
(3)
Rethna E.
Definitely the most amazing place in Philadelphia for dim sum. I tried it a couple months back and now whenever anyone has a dim sum craving, I am so there with them! This is an incredible place with good service and a wide selection and you get so much food for little money! I can see why they do so well! I am so impressed with the quality of food here and how low key it is, and I can see why it is always doing well. Forgive the location a little, it looks a little sketchy but it is perfect and a bowl of comfort when they come towards you with those steaming buns.
(5)
David F.
I can't believe there is this little unpolished gem right in the middle of Philadelphia that I've walked by about 100 times and never stopped in because I judged it by its appearance (shame on me). Not anymore, thanks to Sam and Elisha who showed us the light and taught us how to order and eat these perfect little soup dumplings that are pockets of joy. Yes, be careful that you don't bite right into them because the smoking hot soup contained inside the dumpling will explode into your mouth and cook your palate. Sam explained how we needed to open a hole and drink the soup on a spoon and then smother the dumpling with this amazing hot pepper oil that was so good I purchased a container full of the hot oil to take home (I also ate some the minute I got home). We also had the scallion toast which was also very tasty but was a little greasy but not enough to take away from the crispy little goodness it contained inside. The steamed dumplings were good (I can't say I ever had great steamed dumplings but these were good). We also had another dumpling that I can't remember the name (Sam, help me out?), but that was also a very tasty dumpling. Ahhh yes, thank you Sam, it was the Sui Mai Dumplings that I couldn't remember but my taste buds sure do and I really did like them. But nothing compares to those soup dumplings with the hot pepper oil smothered all over it. I was chowing down on that so feverously that Sam and Elisha had to stop and tell me I had soup and hot peppers dripping off of my chin and goatee (I know girls, hold yourselves back from all this sexiness that is me. I know the grease dripping off the chin is a real turn on and almost compares to Jim's dribble). The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I haven't had the full menu and I'm reserving stars just in case. The appearance of the joint gets a zero, but that is part of its charm (it keeps all the touristy ass wipes out). The soup dumplings get a 10 star from me. I'll be a regular. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to embarrass my girlfriend on this review but I just remembered that she went to the bathroom and overflowed the one and only toilet. Now she says she didn't drop a deuce and just peed but it doesn't matter. The person who overflows the toilet is still the culprit, especially since it happened BEFORE we got our food (thanks Lindsay). As a result of the overflow everyone had to hold their pee until the next bar (which was a mad dash to the toilet..... like a pack of racehorses when we got there). Thank you Sam and Elisha for the new discovery.
(4)
Mike M.
Bus depot. Fried chicken joint. Bum. Wawa. Wait, there's something else on 11th Street underneath that dingy Convention Center overhang... Dim Sum Garden! The main point of our visit was Xiao Long Bao, known to us white people as Soup Dumplings. We got the pork filled ones and loved every bite. They were in the upper rung of Asian dishes I've ever had. We also got the duck over noodles. The duck was cooked really well and the noodles were spectacular. Actually, we started to order the duck over rice but the waitress was kind enough to steer us in the right direction. I've had scallion pancakes on several occasions in the past but the ones at DSG were exceptional, probably the best. The Bok Choy was also very tasty and we got a few other plates that were equally delicious. We were there for dinner on Saturday night and it wasn't crowded but I would imagine this place fills up for the weekend brunch crowd. Ignore the sketch and check this place out! Just look for the one business on this block without the stench of death all over it and you've found it!
(4)
Mimi R.
I am a big fan of steamed soup dumplings. If you haven't tried them before, it's basically a steamed dumpling that is extra juicy. The outer skin should be on the thin side, unlike the regular steamed dumplings that you get from Chinese restaurants. I really enjoyed the soup dumplings here. I read a review about this place and decided to try it for lunch one day. Very happy tummy! ;o) Now, I wouldn't say that this is a good hang-out place or a place to take a date. The decor is lacking. It's not trendy or romantic. Just go there if you're hungry for soup dumplings. Another note, the restaurant is right next door to a Chinatown bus company (not the one that I usually use). So, eat some soup dumplings to fill your tummy and then hop on a bus to New York and have a night out on the town! It's only 2 hours each way ... I haven't tried anything else on the menu. When I do, I'll revise my review.
(4)
Howard C.
Great food, service and value. The place is small and there was a line of people waiting for a table, get there early to be sure to have a seat. I would however HIGHLY recommend them to anyone and will definitely be back.
(4)
Shannon M.
I've been here twice and while I agree with the other reviewers that this place is definitely a hidden gem, I don't think my experience has been that amazing. Maybe I'm not ordering the right food? Both times I've been here for lunch take out. The first time I ordered the Shanghai Wonton Soup which was a massive portion full of wontons and only about 5 bucks. I thought the soup tasted great but could've used some hot sauce to spice it up. The second time I was here I ordered the pork dumpling soup. This time my experience wasn't so great. I found the soup to taste overwhelming of seaweed. It had a very fishy taste to it that I wasn't expecting. I also asked for hot sauce that I never received. Next time I go back (and I will go back) I'll have to try something the other reviewers suggest.
(3)
Jenna M.
So good! Scallion pancakes!! Damn! Lots of vegetarian options...I'm going to have to go back many times so I can sample everything. Yum! Very unassuming on the outside...kind of looks like a dive...but once you get in you see that the place is very clean and the people who work there are super friendly. They're also really good at getting you to order more food. Those pumpkin cakes were a delicious addition to our meal.
(5)
Zach Z.
Great food even though the restaurant looks sketchy o the outside
(5)
Emanuel K.
One of my favorite spots in China town, and one of the few places with true Shanghainese dishes. While the atmosphere is somewhat drab, and the exterior may cause you to mistake the place for a cafeteria for the bus station next door, the food will quickly expunge your mind of all such thoughts. While Craig LaBan made this place known for its soup dumplings (which are out of this world), other dishes such as egg and tomato over rice and pork sauce noodle are equally outstanding and should not be overlooked. The food is delicious, the service is excellent and the prices are remarkably cheap.
(5)
David C.
This is not the "original" dim sum garden--the real place moved and some new crummy owners kept the name to try to retain the business. For the "old" dim sum garden, go to their new location at 1020 Race St.
(1)
Trong T.
Food is amazing!!!! They are almost always packed. Try the soup dumpling and any of the homemade noodles. Don't be put off by the location... it's worth trying!!
(5)
Kaori I.
After reading Yelp I went to Dim Sum Garden. While we were waiting for the food to come, I saw a guy came out of the kitchen with a 50 lb. bag of MSG. Then all I could taste was MSG afterwords. I was very disappointed.
(1)
Tatyana M.
We've read so many good reviews here about this dump and are sooo SORRY that we believed them. Staying at Hilton Garden Inn right across the street we thought that it's a good idea to have a brunch here. That was a BIG MISTAKE!!! First of all I don't understand why they put the word "garden" in their name, because the smell of urine from the outside bus stop follows you in and makes you think about public restroom rather then a garden. Well, so much for the ambiance... Now to the FOOD: shortly said it's the most disgusting Chinese food we've ever tasted. Don't take me wrong. We LOVE all kinds of Asian cuisine. We LOVE soup dumplings and everything connected with the words "dim sum". BUT THIS WAS THE YUKKYEST food we consumed of that kind. The dishes they brought to us looked NOTHING LIKE the pictures of them that's were were hanging on the walls. They were bland, tasteless ( in some parts of dough wraps dried out) and unappetizing looking. Service was OK. Well, If this is what some people call "the best soup dumplings in Philly" then we can't imagine what would be the worst. BTW all through the day (it was Saturday) we had to pass it by couple of times and saw mostly empty room there, which shows how popular this place is. We don't appreciate these misleading reviews and try to worn people from repeating our mistake. This restaurant in our opinion deserves 0 stars.
(1)
Hubert L.
located next to the 'chinatown bus' stop, it looks like a chinese take out spot with all the lighted pictures of general tso's and friends above the counter. nope. this place only serves the real deal northern chinese food. and no, they don't even have dim sum. gottem! get the xiao long bao. these are the real deal. fresh, soupy, and steaming hot. the regular dumplings (boiled or pan fried) are also so very fresh. they use freshly made wrappers too. noodle dishes use freshly made noodles as well. basically, everything is fresh and home made, like mom made it. assuming your mom is chinese, that is.
(5)
Greg R.
Soup DUMPLINGS says it all. This place was my first experience with these amazing soup filled buns of goodness. The staff does not speak english well so its best to know what you want before you go or just point it out on the menu. I suggest the pork soup dumplings (steamed buns), Scallion Pancakes, and a noodle dish served dry. My friends have not had good experiences with the soups so I would avoid that. You may also want to get a drink from the fridge as the water looks questionable. Also note that they generally serve all your courses at the same time which is weird but you can be in and out in under 30 minutes which is great. The interior is nothing special and the outside bus station area isnt exactly desirable but the soup dumplings make that all go away. If your up for trying something new this is your place without spending a lot of coin.
(4)
Ellena S.
**Vegetarian review** DSG is best known for their xiao long bao, which I introduced my boyfriend to, and he loves. Unable to partake because I'm a vegetarian (sadly.. used to love XLB, as my dad is from the Shanghai region), I tried two menu items: 1. Steamed vegetable dumplings. These were filled with vegetables, little bits of tofu, and a couple thin, vermicelli-like noodles. These were good, filled much better than most dumplings in the US, and the wrappers were nice and thin. A couple dumplings were a little too dry, but what I really loved was the "dumpling sauce" - a sweet soy sauce that I couldn't quite place, but was great (they also have the standard vinegar with ginger slivers and chili oil). 2. Cold cucumbers. A dish I love, their rendition was good but a little too salty. Prefer the one at Su Xing. Yes, it's crappy, literally a hole-in-the-wall.. but Philly's gems are often in unsuspecting places. DSG is great for those who want to try soup dumplings, and not shabby for veg-heads, either.
(4)
Perry A.
The xiao long tang bao (soup dumplings) brought me back to the summer i spent in Shanghai, teaching english to aspiring teachers. Of course, in the PRC, you could get a large basket of the dumplings (around 18 per basket) for a mere $.60 US, and they while didn't have the soup in the dumplings, the trademark thin skin and juicey gingered pork within were spot on at Dim Sum Garden. With the demise of Lakeside, this has risen to the top of my personal go to places in C-town. Also worthy of rtying are their scallion pancakes (a little greasier than I'd like, but nice balance of dough and scallion flavor), storemade noodles (I get it dry) with either their red cooked chicken or eel. My kids love their fried dumplings (guo ti). The counter service is friendly enough, but they do less well when they are busy.
(4)
Diana N.
I was on the east coast so far from home and craved some good Chinese takeout. Since it was a solo trip, my boyfriend didn't want me staying out too late, especially not walking around alone at night. I tried to order take out, but it was a little too confusing for me, so I tried calling them and there was some miscommunication. In the end, I decided to walk there really quick to order the take-out and then head back to my hotel pronto. When I got there, my negative impression of them totally diminished! The workers there are the nicest I have ever known in the restaurant business. They were very helpful based more on genuine generosity rather than acting that way just to get business. They double-checked my order before creating it, made sure I had everything I needed, and even when I was walking out the door, one of their workers ran up to me last minute and handed me a physical copy of their menu to keep ("for next time" they said even though they knew I was from California). I ordered the PEKING DUCK OVER RICE dish and a WONTON SOUP. Man, it was a lot of food! I loved the PECKING DUCK OVER RICE dish (I'm a little bias with duck - love the fatty duck skin) because the rice had this sauce over it that made everything so sweet and savory. However, I really wish the rice was more fresh because it did taste a little rough/hard and I believed it to be a day old and not fresh. The duck meat wasn't the thickest or meatiest, but hey, it was a cheap dish so I knew I shouldn't expect much. As for the WONTON SOUP, it was so huge (enough for 2 people as a simple appetizer). There were 10 wontons in there and I couldn't finish it all. I remembered the wonderful service more than the food though, because they seem to be people who are really passionate about their food and really care for their customers. Hoping to visit them again whenever I'm back in Philadelphia!
(4)
Amanda N.
We were craving some Asian comfort food after a long rainy day. Wanted to try something new and liked the casual happy vibe that we saw through the window as we were strolling around Chinatown and decided to give dim sum garden another chance after being underwhelmed by the other location. The service is friendlier and much warmer here. The food came out faster and fresher tasting with a slightly thinner skin to the pork soup dumplings-- hallelujah! Delicious soupy fresh dumplings = done deal/happy tummy. The napa and pork dumplings weren't bad though wouldn't order them again. The spicy tripe dish (which is a cold appetizer-- we were surprised) wasn't bad either. The brisket noodle soup was a huge generous serving with a nice handful of fresh choy. I would definitely come back!
(4)
Michelle P.
Silly me. I thought I was ordering delivery from Dim Sum Garden, but apparently I ordered delivery from the Original Dim Sum Garden. With all the hype about Dim Sum Garden, I was super excited to try it. Luckily, I've never eaten at either location before so therefore no comparisons or disappointment was needed. I ended up with some pretty yummy Chinese food. My hubby and I went to town and ordered the hot & spicy soup, chili cabbage shredded pork soup, Pork with Sauce Noodle, the chives & pork dumplings and finally the scallion pancake. I didn't love the soups. This was my first foray into both hot & spicy and chili cabbage shredded pork so it was probably more a personal preference thing. The hot & spicy soup was thick with egg, tofu and noticeable peppers. I found it hard to eat after a while. The shredded pork soup was a broth that just got boring to eat after a while. You live, you learn. On the other hand, the rest of the order rocked! This was hands down the best scallion pancake I've ever had. It was kind of greasy, but in a good way. It was soft and full of scallion with each bite. The pepper dipping sauce was a killer edition. The chive and pork dumplings were also really great. There was an option for steamed or fried so we went with steamed. While they were still technically small dumplings, they were pretty stuffed and not tiny. There were 10 to an order for about $6.00 which I thought was a good deal. The star of the show was the Pork with Sauce Noodle. We opted for the hand-made noodles and declined the option soup. I've had similar dishes but nothing exactly like it. It was really flavorful and tasty. Next time I'd probably give them a try in person though. The $5.99 Grubhub delivery fee was a little steep. The food was pretty inexpensive so that could have gone to an entire extra item. So I didn't eat from the restaurant I wanted, but I ended up with another good option in Chinatown
(4)
S C.
Perfect. Very pleasant, attentive service. Meal starts off with hot tea. Food was delicious, served hot and quick. We had pork dumplings, sweet potato pancakes, chilli cabbage shredded pork soup, and spring rolls. Yummy. : ) All for just $13. Came back a few days later. Exactly the same. Great service, great good, great prices
(5)
Stella L.
Went here just for the xiao long bao! I have to say its pretty good. They have hands down the best sauce to dip it in..its slightly sweet and very delicious. I wish more places offered this sauce. Scallion pancakes were also yummy! Oo also the prices are super cheap. We got two orders of the soup dumplings and a scallion pancake for 16 dollars!
(4)
Henry K.
I came in here mistaking it for the new Dim Sum Garden. The food was so so. The bottom of the soup dumplings kept breaking and leaking soup. I wasn't crazy about the location of the restaurant (next to the bus station in an alley). While eating my food, a woman in the kitchen suddenly gave a loud scream...don't even want to think about what could possibly scare a Chinese cook.
(2)
Ilikeboa C.
Read all the reviews about how awesome their soup dumplings was and got all excited. We ended our trip in Philly with a taste of China and left a bit discontented. The experience and the service was overall "ok" but I guess the overhype of the food killed it especially when a long tiring day did not meet its reward. We ordered soup dumpling and YangZhou(Yueng Chow) Fried Rice. The dumplings had too much dough and it was a bit hard to chew off the top. I am not sure if their vinegar sauce was specially made like most other Shanghainese cuisines, this place gives you a bottled vinegar. Usually Shanghainese cuisine serve the vinegar sauce in a cup with ginger and they tasted so darn good with the soup dumplings. Obviously it was not the case here. The soup part of the soup dumpling was so plain I thought I was tasting water. YangZhou Fried Rice came with a big portion and I was so full that I couldn't stand straight. I was full but felt empty. The dish tasted plain and nothing like what I had before. I appreciate the fact that no MSG was added but at least pour some salt or something. This review might be a bit biase since I am never tried their dim sum. For those who didn't know, dim sum is part of the Cantonese cuisine. Soup dumpling is part of the Shanghainese cuisine. One just can't be good at both. For those who are visiting NYC, try Joe's Shanghai. Their soup dumplings are genuine.
(3)
Susan R.
My favorite Chinese restaurant ever. And when I say ever, I mean ever--I don't even live in Philly. I always get the following and it always rocks my world: xiaolong bao (so good) scallion pancakes (omg) Chinese broccoli (yessss) some kind of pan-fried dumplings And then whatever else looks good. Very affordable, very tasty, good service and super prompt.
(5)
Sofia C.
BEST authentic Shanghainese food~! Although it may not be the greatest location or look the bestest, the quality of the food they provide makes up for it. I have tried their food since they first opened and was sad when they decided to close down and followed them till they reopened again and STILL they have NEVER failed to satisfy my cravings. They have the best scallion pancakes, shanghai wontons, and xiaolong baos (soup dumplings) that Philly has to offer. Their prices are affordable and their service is great. People talk and things happen. All the speculations about who the real owner is does not really matter. What matters is the taste and satisfaction that is guaranteed once you step into their store.
(5)
C C.
I returned here with my boyfriend because he was craving some dim sum. As I tried some new dishes, I realized that most of what I had was more of a three-star than a four-star rating. We had the steamed pork soup dumplings and scallion pancakes again, and they didn't disappoint. This time, we also ordered a dish of seaweed, which was really salty--it made the tea taste sweet. The seaweed and egg soup was also on the saltier side, but not as extreme. Although it's called an egg drop soup, it looks like the cut the egg into strips after it was cooked to resemble the seaweed more. Although it was more visually appealing, the egg tasted a little hard. One thing I do enjoy about the soups I've tried is that they aren't thickened. We also tried the sweet potato cakes, which were fried and crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with red bean. While I did like them, they were too greasy for my taste. Overall, the dishes here tend to be too salty or too greasy for me. However, the staff here are always super-friendly, prices are reasonable (this meal was $20 including tax), and complementary tea is always a plus. This isn't my favorite place in Chinatown, but I don't mind going with my boyfriend when he's in the mood for some dim sum.
(3)
Amber B.
Dim Sum Garden is really food and cheap. Out of town friends and I stopped in, and not knowing what to have, we asked the waitress for suggestions. Tons of tasty dishes later, the juicy dumplings, vegetable buns, and Chinese broccoli were our favorite. We left very full for less than $15/person. I will be taking my next guests.
(4)
James M.
I travel across town just to eat there. Fresh dim sum, made while you wait -usually 10 minutes or so. No matter how difficult they are to eat, the juicy buns are amazing. Between them and the pan fried dumplings, I can't bring myself to order anything else off their menu. Little skill or care was put in to the boxy, fluorescent space, but the staff is lovable -and if you can't stand to eat there, they serve to go as well.
(5)
Connie C.
The soup dumplings are the best in in Philadelphia! Their soupless noodles are also fantastic. Both dumplings and noodles are handmade and worth the trip.
(5)
Sean M.
I just moved to Philly after 7 years in San Francisco, so my soup dumpling standards are high. Dim Sum Garden has phenomenal soup dumplings. They call them pork buns or something like that (top of the menu). Pork soup dumplings, crab soup dumplings, you can't go wrong. They are out of this world. Also, the food is super cheap and the staff is very nice. Go there. Now.
(5)
v h.
Great low-key lunch place. They have inexpensive & tasty rice dishes, and the scallion pancakes were thin and had lots of scallions. The duck with homemade noodles was the highlight of our meal. While the soup dumplings were good, they don't top Joe's Shanghai. Don't be fooled, it's not real dim sum!
(3)
Marissa E.
Dim Sum Garden looks like your average hole in the wall Chinese place, and for extra hole in the wall cred it's in the weird tunnel on 11th Street next to one of the Chinatown bus stations. A part of me wonders if I'd be so blown away if Dim Sum Garden were in a slightly nicer location, because the contrast between the location and the amazing food is so startling. We were told to pick a seat and the waiter kept filling our mugs with hot green tea. i don't think my mug was more than half-empty for the entire meal. He also suggested the veggie dumplings, which I didn't get to try, but that's on my list for my next visit. I met a friend here last night for a late dinner before a show at the Troc. I had only intended to split a few orders of dim sum, but we ended up getting noodle soup as well. The soup dumplings were, as always, delicious, and it's fun to see a newbie try to eat them without getting soup everywhere. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, probably some of the best I've ever had. My friend got the duck noodle soup and I got the vegetarian one. His had huge pieces of duck meat; mine was full of bok choy and pickles. I would have liked a little more variety in the veggies (and more of those delicious pickles!), but the bok choy was super ripe and crunchy, even after sitting in the soup. I found the broth to be kind of bland, but that was punched up by a healthy helping of dumpling sauce and a spoonful of the chili sauce at the table. (There was also a ginger sauce, but I didn't like it that much.) This enormous amount of food for two people came to - wait for it - $21. The only thing better than good food is good food for super cheap, and that's why I love Dim Sum Garden.
(4)
Bob L.
This "interesting" eatery gets three stars simply for the soup dumplings. I've ordered many other things on the menu and frankly most of their dishes other than the delicious soup dumplings aren't worth it. I will say though that the dumpling soup is fairly good. The Eel soup, though, was bland and forgettable. Forget about ordering ahead either. It's basically the luck of the draw if you get soup dumplings...you may get them right away or have to wait 20 plus minutes for a new batch.
(3)
AJ C.
We just ate here about an hour ago, after reading all the wonderful reviews we just had to try it....so we drove an hour from DE and came out so disappointed, we were scared by the facade but that was expected, so, we still went in. Parking in the area was $24...which is not sooooo worth what we went there for. If you were only there to eat the soup dumplings then you'll be satisfied, however, I also ordered the general Tso's which tasted like an orange chicken and our friend ordered a wanton soup that tasted like water. He should know good food, he's a very good cook! Needless to say, next time we come back here we'll be visiting Wokano again.
(1)
Dawn R.
Not exactly my ideal of a dim sum restaurant, this was never the less a perfect place to stop and get lunch. While our initial waitress obviously was still in training and working on her English, she was supported by a number of friendly, helpful coworkers who seemed genuinely concerned about our experience. The wonton soup was perfect for a nursing a hangover. The crab dumplings strangely liquidy and very hot...a bit challenging to eat. Best of all was the price. Very affordable and tasty.
(3)
Jemma C.
Yum yum dim sum. This place is beyond cheap, it's practically free! The service was warm and efficient and the dumplings were delicious. We ordered way too much food and yet still managed to get through it all as it was so tasty. $14 each including tip for full bellies? Yes please.
(4)
francis d.
I'm pretty surprised at the lack of dim sum spots in philly's chinatown. After seeing all praise this place was receiving I thought it would be top notch. I was wrong, this place is mediocre at best. Me and my group of five had the scallion pancake, siu mai ( which had rice in it, which was meh), pork and chive pan fried dumplings, and the soup dumplings (forgot what they were called). Nothing really stood out, maybe the dumplings with soup inside. I admit I am pretty spoiled since I'm from southern california originally. But for all the high reviews.... I dont get it.
(3)
Chris W.
Best dumplings in PA. They will change your life and worth the trip every time. I went here with my college friends @ del val college and we took pictures with the owner, who is so humble. Dim Sum Garden has the best dumplings In Pa and is extremely affordable.
i absolutely love the soup dumplings here. plenty of flavor and they even show u how to eat it correctly. only gripe i have about this place is that service sucks
(5)
Anne C.
I don't understand why I can't find a good dim sum place - the search continues!! So let's start off with the shady placement of this restaurant. It's not particularly in the best looking area, actually my mom had to drag me here to try the food because I was not convinced by the store front. I don't care what people say, the atmosphere of eating the food plays an important role as well! We each had a noodle dish and split some xiao long bao - it's a personal favorite of mine. The dumplings are worth trying here but everything else you could definitely pass on.
(3)
Ernest S.
If you like judging a book by its cover, you probably wouldn't step in here. Which is cool, cause that just ensures a table for me to enjoy some xiao long bao! These little guys are definitely soupy and hot enough to burn the mouth if you take too large of a bite - in other words, they're pretty legit. My pickled veggie and beef noodle soup was a little salty. Guess you can't win with everything.
(4)
johnnie u.
Believe the hype, the rumors are true. Dim Sum Garden has a cheerless exterior under the bus terminal complex, and the interior is an assault of bright neon and hand-written signs. But one doesn't go here for the atmosphere, it's all about the dumplings. I've sampled xiao long bao (soup dumplings) every place between Shanghai and Manhattan and Dim Sum Garden is as good as any I've had. Scallion pancakes are crispy without being greasy.
(4)
Bob S.
I am kinda sorta a fan... I liked the food, but the place was freezing! Now about the food.... After a hard day of shopping at the King of Prussia mall we decided on some dim sum. When you first arrive you feel like you just walked into an annex of the chinese bus station next door...the decor is sparse and utilitarian...however peruse the menu and your thoughts change....I thought myself, "Let's have some fun." And so I did. I started with the pork dumpling soup. Dumplings were tasty but the broth was metallic tasting. Weird huh? Next up was fried egg, tomatoes, pickes, and baby bok choy....sounds gross right? Well, it worked. It was tasty as all can be. I am making it for breakfast... Next up was pork and crab something or others...they were mini explosins of pork and crab that I had to receive special instructions on how to eat. Service - is fast and mercenary. Tea - weak and metallic. Homeless people wander in at times. But hey this is Philly... Bathrooms - no idea. Did not want to know really.
(4)
Ryan T.
Had the napa/pork and shrimp dumplings as well as the steamed pork juicy buns (one of their specialties). Everything was fresh, flavorful, and served quickly. Our first visit to Philly and Dim Sum Garden won't be our last!
(5)
Paul P.
Wow! What a great meal. The Dim Sum was unique and tasty. Ordered the pork and crab soup dumpling, Shu Mai, Har Gao, Smoked Fish, Bok Choi and roasted duck. I wasn't successful in not making a mess with the soup dumpling, but it was so worth it in my mouth. It tasted like a wonton soup wrapped up in a dumpling. The Shu Mai normal ground pork filling was mixed with sticky rice - good creation. The Bok Choi and Fish was exceptional as well. The only dish that did not feel up to par was the the duck, only because it was normal. The server girl was very helpful and attentive. Will definitely recommend to others.
(4)
Hoa T.
Yup it's official. I do not like their xiao long bao. I tried them again today and they are still pretty bland. Really, where is the crab in the filling? Did not taste it at all. The chive dumplings still taste great thank god or this would have been 2 stars for sure.
(3)
Zeaten T.
Pork soup dumplings (juicy buns), best in Philly! The steamed vegetable dumplings were hand made and really good as well. I usually go here first for soup-dumpling appetizer then up to race street for the rest.
(5)
Adam B.
I had a pretty good dim sum experience here, although I didn't see fun rolls on the menu. The siu mai were different than anything I've had. It seemed more of a rice/pork mix inside of the same wrapper... similar to a sticky rice filling. They had some non normal dim sum items. We tried one of them, but I can't remember the name. It was a pasty taro cake, with a big emphasis on pasty. Very good. We had some pancakes that we didn't like. It seemed like an unsalted, greasy tortilla chip.
(4)
Kevin R.
When I first came through the door I had the feeling that I was in the wrong place. I'm used to the big Dim Sum houses of San Francisco and Oakland Chinatowns where a battalion of non-English speaking Chinese woman push around the traditional carts. This place had about a dozen tables and no carts. I've never had Xiao long bao and wish I had read up on these juicy bites of goodness before I arrived. The little dumpling exploded onto my shirt, pants, and table while I sat there with an expression like I had just let out a loud fart by accident. I wised up and used a soup spoon to cradle the 2nd dumpling while I carefully bit the corner off and sucked out the most amazing broth I have ever had. I also had a great flat noodle dish with pork that was quite tasty. The next time you find yourself close to this underpass by Reading Terminal, do yourself a favor and try the Xiao long bao, just remember to wear an old shirt.
(4)
Michael L.
So I came back again...the next day. But this time, for dinner. I just ordered the Crab meat XLB (#2), and got some pea shoot sprouts (not on the menu, just ask for daily vegetable availability). The XLB itself was pretty good- none of them "broke" or "popped" prematurely, and all 8 had good amounts of broth in them. The broth is slightly sweet, which makes me think these folks are really from Shanghai, as Shanghainese cuisine tends to be on the sweeter side. (It's one thing to have "Shanghai" written as a descriptor of menu items, but it's another thing to actually flavor the food accordingly.) I noticed the same thing with the pea sprouts. Slightly sweet. In a good way. Gotta get my veggies in...or I'll pay for it later...in non-monetary forms... The crab topping on top of the XLB was just ok. I could go without it. I'd probably order the normal XLB next time. Yes, I do mean that I will be back before the end of this week...perhaps more than once....wait...probably, since I'll bring my friends in Philly at least once.
(4)
Jay W.
The soup dumplings ( AKA the juicy pork dumplings) are amazing. Hot pork soup inside the dumpling. Be careful eating them, that you don't burn yourself. My favorite thing to do is wait until they are just cool enough and pop the whole thing into my mouth (with a little spicy oil). When you bite it that way, its like a giant savory Gusher. The Chinese broccoli is my favorite vegetable served here. It is absolutely PACKED with garlic. Great dim sum, the napa and pork dumplings are also really good, tasty steamed bok choy, pretty good noodles. Also, try the the duck fried rice, and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food comes out quickly. Not much of a decor. In the winter you'll get a cold draft every time someone comes in. Very cheap food, you could order more food than you can eat for under $10. If you are planning on using a credit card you must spend more than $15.
(5)
Pira T.
Finally tried this place. Service was ok. Food was meh. Nothing special. It wasn't good at all. Don't know why people love this place so much. I was disappointed. Cause a bit more than other places in chinatown. I had dumpling, scallion pancakes, fried rice, duck and many other dishes in dim sum category. Seriously I try six places in Chinatown so far and dimsum places. I like all of them. But this place doesn't taste good at all. No flavor. Just skip this place and walk few more blocks for yummy cheaper food.
(1)
Zareen S.
My sister had to beg me a lot to come here. I was verrrrrrry skeptical, and very would be an understatement. This is probably as good as Dim Sum gets. We ordered the chicken, shrimp and the pork ones. Obviously I had to be "that person" and order something "adventurous" and go with the rice filled cuties. They surprisingly tasted pretty good, if you are looking for something heavy and a bit more filling i guess. It would be safe to say, all their Dim Sum probably tastes good. 4 stars instead of 5? I am slightly OCD when it comes to cleaning restaurants [since i work in two], and the star had everything to do with how clean the place is and nothing to do with the food. Sorray!
(4)
Donna C.
I really really wanted to like this place. As a general rule, after a full day of traveling dives with cheap, delicious comfort food are usually where I tend to gravitate. Dim Sum Garden looked like it was possibly capable of fulfiling all three. The place is divey. Think fluorescent lighting, rickety furniture and drop ceilings. The food is cheap-ish. An order of soup dumplings (which are pretty good) will run you about $7. An order of pan fried noodles with vegetables (meh) or maypo tofu (eh) will run you about $6.50. If you want bubble tea (I've made better, in my kitchen. Seriously) tack on another $3. The food isn't very delicous. Very salty and kind of greasy yes. I wouldn't say it was delicious though. The soup dumplings were good (To be honest, the name Dim Sum Garden is a bit of a misnomer. They actually have more dumplings than dim sum on the menu. But, I digress) but everything else was kind of meh. The noodles were overcooked and oversauced. The General Tso's chicken was a littly on the mushy side. AND we got charged $6.50 for a small plate of asparagus that we didn't order. I'd probably try one of the many other Chinese restaurants in the area before I ever go back to this place.
(2)
Joyce L.
Stopped by for the high rate review. BUT Xiao Long Bo isn't authentic. :(
(1)
Vinayak B.
Pretty good dim sum place. Definitely recommend the chicken on a stick, scallion pancakes and the juicy buns (xiao long bao). The siumai and the hot and sour soup were ok. Inexpensive as well
(4)
Kendra L.
Delicious! We had the Pork buns, pork and chive dumplings, and the scallion pancakes. Great, cheap lunch on a cold winters day. The waitstaff seems rushed, but no big deal, the food was served hot.
(4)
Lisa R.
This is what the DC to Philly Chinatown busses are made for. I will specifically go out of my way to make a day trip to eat here. the Soup Dumplings are THAT good. absolutely out of this world.
(5)
Jason L.
Their pork juicy buns are soooo good. Irresistible status. I always make sure I grab some whenever I'm in Chinatown. They're even open late!! Also, I don't like the pork/shrimp ones as much as the pork ones. And none of them taste as good cold as they do warm/hot.
(5)
Enid C.
I can totally understand why someone would come to a place called Dim Sum Garden looking for an enjoyable dim sum experience. I mean come on, that just makes sense. But please, do yourself a favor and do not - repeat, do NOT - go in with this mindset. If the words "Dim Sum" were the only things that drew you in to this sketchy locale, responsibly walk your stomach and your wallet over to Ocean Harbor or Joy Tsin Lau (or New York or DC). Three little words that will optimize your dining experience at DSG: xiao long bao. These tender, meaty, juicy soup dumplings are by far the best in the city (though there is not really much competition in this category). Eating them might be tricky for first-timers, so be careful as you do not want to waste a single drop of the glorious soupiness. There is honestly no need to order anything else off the menu (everything else is not exceptional), but if you are dying to have some variety (poppycock, if you ask me), the scallion pancake and some of the noodle dishes are fine. Just be careful not to order the siu mai, as it is not the porky meaty delight you might expect from a traditional dim sum establishment, but rather a little dumpling sack filled with sticky rice. For serious, xiao long bao is all you're going to need. One of the biggest and most heretical party fouls in the history of life is breaking one of these precious xiao long bao before it makes it to your plate. Your heart will sink as you helplessly watch those valuable juices escape from your reach forever. Definitely not a place for fork users.
(4)
Kendra D.
Soup dumplings are wonderful!!
(5)
Brian C.
I can come to this place all the time. The xiao lung bao and other dumplings here are probably the best in Philadelphia. Everything is also very affordable. The minced pork noodle is springy and delicious, the seasoning really good. The scallion pancake is perfectly crispy. The braised beef is moist and tender, both in the braised beef noodle soup as well as the beef fried rice. Definitely a must stop for good, affordable tasty Chinese food.
(4)
Cherryl L.
I can't believe this place exist in Philly. I lived here for so long and have passed this place so many times. I just didn't think it was a well worth it dim sum place. Now from this day on I would say that ........... Yes, I am a fan of this place. Surely, I"ll go back to this place again. I tried the pan fried pork dumplings, at first I thought I wouldn't like it. I actually love it. Never had anything like this from any other place. It's good with the dumpling sauce. Scallion pancakes- it's crunchy although it's oily so I just had some napkins to wipe the oil off from it. It's actually cheap $2.50 for one order. Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns- didn't expect that it will be like that coz I've never had it anywhere. It was hot so be careful not to put right away in your mouth or else it will burn you. I will def go back to this place!
(4)
Wendy W.
Absolutely the best Dim Sum in town!
(5)
Josie L.
Here's another place that I wasn't sure about when passing by. The place is next to the bus terminal and it's pretty much a hole in the wall. Alright, let's go in... Had to order Xiao Long Bao or soup dumpling because it was recommended. The skin/wrap of the dumpling was really nice. It wasn't too thin or thick. The juice or soup of the dumpling was a little too sweet for me. The dumpling is much better than Joe's Shanghai from NYC. The dumplings here were fresh. I saw them making it. This place has an AWESOME scallion pancakes. I like it how it's thin and crispy. I get turned off by doughy pancakes. The sauce that goes with it is really good too. It has a taste of sweetness. Pickled cabbage with pork noodle soup was a disaster. The noodles were overcooked. There was not much of a taste with the dish.
(3)
Kay K.
Came here right before I went back to NYC. It's a cozy spot near a shady bus station. We went around 11 am and the place was empty. The waitress lady was very nice. We ordered pork soup dumplings, crab and pork soup dumplings, pork and chive pan dumplings, and shrimp dumplings. Everything tasted great. But I found shrimp dumplings a little bit on the salty side. Reasonable prices as well. Would return again to try more of their dishes.
(4)
Victor K.
Definitely cheap and delicious. Me with three others ordered two orders of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and four separate noodle dishes for 38.80 and we were stuffed. Definitely well hidden but definitely worth stopping by
(4)
Millhouse R.
I came back here a couple of days ago and wasn't disappointed. On principal alone, just by serving duck gizzards to a round-eye like me without giving me an argument, this place has earned its keep. The gizzards have a nice salty (they're sprinkled with salt water) and roast duck (as in they were removed after a whole duck has been cooked) and offal flavor. Pan fried pork dumpling with chives were also delicious. Moist, liquid and separate and pronounced chive and pork flavor, the dumpling almost melts in your mouth if it wasn't for the earthy tasting skin, which absorbs some of the liquid. My seafood rolls, although mostly cabbage filled, were also good. A nice crispy and greasy skin surrounds a hearty mess of cabbage. Truly a keeper.
(4)
Pauline S.
I came here recently and it is still a solid place to get shanghai juicy/soup dumplings in Philly (I've tried sang kee's version and it is always soupless). I shared 3 sets of the pork and 1 of crab mixed with pork with 2 other people. I felt like I enjoyed the crab one more but only because I got tired of eating the same pork over and over. Perhaps I would try the vegetable version next time!
(3)
Jess L.
Yes, the decor is reminiscent of a school cafeteria. Yes, it is in the most non-scenic location in the city. But, oh man, I've never eaten anything here that was less than really, really good. The soup dumplings are just about perfect. I tend to get them with the scallion pancakes (delish) and/or the sesame cucumber salad (really nice cold counterpoint to the burn-you-tongue-hot soup dumplings.) So, not a date-night place (unless your date is AWESOME) but some really, really good food.
(4)
A H.
The single best dish here is #2a. Shanghai Pan Fried Pork Juice Buns 6 pcs. (sheng jian bao). Just doughy enough, crispy charred bottom, porky filling. Possibly the best sheng jian bao I've ever had. I now order this on every trip here. I don't know why people don't rave about this dish more!!! But one order of sheng jian bao is not enough food, so I usually also order something else for a typical lunch. My second favorite dish here is the pork and crab soup dumplings (xiao long bao) everyone else is always raving about (#2. Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns 8 pcs). I think the one with crab is better than the pork-only one. I've also tried the steamed chives & pork dumplings (#6) once. The wrappers came out mushy and overcooked. The filling was fine, but they weren't amazing. I might try the dumplings again, probably pan fried next time. They do take credit cards, but there's a $20 minimum.
(5)
Alexandra W.
The last time I had soup dumplings, I was probably about 8. But, I remember them being amazing. Maybe it was because I had them at Joe's Shanghai in NYC, but still, amazing. I got the pork and crabmeat soup dumplings for lunch today from Dim Sum Garden after hearing great things. I was sorely, sorely disappointed. The only crabmeat I spotted was a tiny bit on the top of the dumpling. I don't know if this is standard in soup dumplings, but it wasn't really...soup. The soup was more like the fat that rises to the top of soup. It was pretty viscous, and kind of gross. If this is how soup dumplings usually are, then we can just write this off as me not liking them. The steamed shrimp dumplings were okay. They were kind of mushy. I'll just stick with Ocean Harbor. Sorry.
(1)
Jes S.
Things I Liked: - As close to Shanghai soup buns in Philadelphia as I've ever seen. Really really really really tasty. - Shanghai wontons are great! - The service is fantastic. The people are super sweet and attentive and just wonderful. ---- Things I Didn't Like So Much: - Not everything was so tasty. Sadly. And why it's no perfect five stars. The ... I don't know the English name, tofu and greens? A little too greasy, and the tofu wasn't as fresh. And the fried buns weren't all meat insides, but meat and lettuce, less authentic and less tasty.
(4)
John C.
I had their xiao long bao(pork only) and scallion pancakes. I loved their scallion pancakes, very nice i must say. Their xiao long bao didn't come out that great though. For a few of them, the dough was undercooked and the dumplings themselves weren't that hot (which may explain the undercooked dough). If they did it right, I would have given it a 4. I actually prefer the dumplings from Sakura Mandarin, which is a few blocks down. The dumplings @ Sakura costs a little more than here, but the taste makes up for it.
(3)
Mo P.
5 stars for hole in the wall Shanghai style soup dumplings The steamed soup dumplings are heaven in a steamed basket! The service was quite friendly. The siu mai was fresh and had great flavor and textures. The chive and pork dumplings were right on the money and pan fried to perfection. They also had a new menu item of pan fried soup dumpling with black sesame seeds on top. This was a party in your mouth. There are 3 sauces at the table which mixed together are sublime on all the dumplings. The vinegar is perfect on the soup dumplings. If you've never had soup dumplings remember to eat them while they're hot and put it on the soup spoon and add your favorite sauce on top. Eat it one bite and make sure you don't burn yourself. As for the roast duck over rice.... reminded me of eating in Hong Kong at night time with some greens on the side a little roast duck nicely seasoned with 5 spice powder on the bottom which gets into the white rice that the duck sits on. This place lacks atmosphere and may be considered a hole in the wall by some. I call it a hidden gem and can't wait to go back. The prices at this restaurant are very reasonable and it's BYOB.
(5)
Jason T.
Mentally, my image of dim sum is a big dining hall with servers pushing around carts of small dishes from which you can choose whichever plates of food look appetizing. So entering Dim Sum Garden, I was almost unsure whether I had walked into the right restaurant. I took a seat with my friends, and we ordered an array of dishes, they being more knowledgeable about the nuances of dim sum, I simply sat back and waited for the dim sum nom noms to arrive :) The food took a few minutes to come out, so I could tell that it was freshly prepared. And I would be reminded that it came straight out of the steamer: I put an entire soup dumpling in my mouth and with the first bite immediately scalded my entire mouth! There was no cold water to temper the boiling liquid in my mouth, only hot tea. So after that experience, my taste buds were toast and I couldn't taste anything else in the meal. We asked for cold water, but the server didn't give us any. I did feel woozy afterwards, so I'm pretty sure I did ingest some MSG. The shu mai is a different style than what you may be used to - it's Shanghai shu mai, so it's filled with rice and larger than the small but juicy pork dumplings you may be used to.
(2)
Chris J.
Just moved in around the corner - and will be here once a week - for sure! Friendly service and even great for takeout! Had the Steamed Pork Juice buns - amazingly good - almost life changing! Also had the spring roll and the scallion pancake - the pancake with a sweet sauce for dipping that was awesome. And just for good measure - tried an order of General Tso's - even that was good! I'm excited to get more steamed pork buns - as early as tomorrow!!!
(4)
John R.
Dim Sum Garden is a good place everyone should try once. The place is called Dim Sum Garden so one may think you should come here and eat dim dum, but the place doesn't serve dim sum. Don't worry though there is something much better on the menu. At Dim Sum Garden, they serve Shanghainese soup dumpings, called xiao long bao. Its the first and second item on the menu. If you don't know what Shanghainese dumplings are, let me explain to you. These aren't your regular dumplings. Each dumping is a little pouch filled with meat but also this rich gelatinous soup. When the dumplings are made, an icecube of stock is also wrapped in there with the meat forming a soup dumpling when it is later steamed. When you eat these dumplings don't just pop them in your mouth. They are piping hot! And don't bite into it spilling the juices all over your shirt and plate. If you do, you just wasted the best part. Instead grab one out, put it on the spoon, bite off a little piece of the skin and slurp the soup out of the dumpling. A little vinegar soy sauce may be added to the dumpling too. Then consume the whole dumpling. Repeat 7 more times, since each basket comes with 8 dumplings. Go to Dim Sum Garden and order the Shanghainese dumplings. There are other items on the menu but I don't think I will ever get around to eating them, except for the scallion pancakes. To my knowledge this is the only place in philly you can get Shanghainese dumplings. If you are familiar with Joe's Shanghai in NYC, this philly equivalent is just as good. I think they're damn good eats and at 5 bucks a basket you can get a great snack anytime of the day.
(4)
Jessica R.
My trip to Dim Sum Garden solved a big mystery in my life - soup dumplings! I've heard about them everywhere, but had no idea what they were - turns out I had been eating all them all my life, but know them by their Chinese name - xiao long bao. Just as other yelpers have said, the xiao long bao here are top notch. They're all handmade, and each dumpling is perfectly wrapped. My favorite were the pork and chive, but all of the 3 varieties we had were delicious. We also got scallion pancakes (fine, but not notable), an egg & tomato rice dish (a little too sweet) and a cold noodle dish (basic, but tasty). I would definitely recommend going during the daytime, as the location (under a bridge/in a tunnel type area) is definitely sketchy. Numerous buses also pick up right outside the restaurant so the sidewalk tends to be crowded with people and luggage. It's a random mix of patrons - some people who have definitely sought it out, and others who have wandered in because it's close to the bus stop. In summary, definitely worth the trip, but go with friends, not with a date. It's also super inexpensive - we ordered 6 dishes and paid $11 each! I love that they serve a lot of dim sum type dishes (hence the name, I'm guessing), but in bigger portions and with cheaper prices. The service was also great. =)
(4)
Loni N.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now and I'm so glad I did. Don't be fooled by the outside appearance this place is the real deal for Dim Sum. I also got the scallion cakes which were heaven! The dim sum is amazing and the pork they use is fresh. You can watch the two ladies make everything from scratch in the open kitchen area. The food is good, flavorful, and very fresh. The service was good too. The dishes are large enough to share for two. I can't wait to go back. This place does take credit card but its a $20 minimum.
(5)
Brad P.
This place is tasty, absurdly cheap, and unpretentious about what it is. Go into your little head space and classify this place as "fast food" before your first visit. This is essential towards appreciating the experience that is on its way. Dim Sum Garden's pork soup dumplings are tasty and fun to eat. It doesn't matter how hungry you are - wait at least a few minutes after they are on the table before you shovel these things into your mouth. They are delicious but difficult to appreciate when the pain sensors in your mouth go red alert because you've just burned everything from the gingival margin of your lower central incisor to your epiglottis. I know the decor isn't conducive to patience, but just trust me on this one. I'll also give a shout out to the pan fried chicken dumplings. Stick to the dumplings when you come to this restaurant. I found the chicken on a stick and beef brisket over rice to be a little disappointing.
(4)
Eva J.
Quieter, more attentive service than the new one but...NO TURNIP CAKE!!! Blasphemy.
(4)
Minh C.
"Dinghy" is how I would describe the exterior of Dim Sum Garden. Having walked by here quite a few times, I had always wondered how a place like this could operate and break even. However, a friend who had come here said the dim sum was good and recommended it. That was a shocker, so I definitely had to try it out myself. We arrived noon-ish on a windy Sunday. It was packed. The establishment itself is relatively small, and oddly enough, it appeared to be quite family friendly. First, the food. We had the Shanghai Siu Mai, Fried Soup Pork Buns, and Crabmeat + Pork Buns. The Shanghai Siu Mai looked a little bit weird and tasted a little bit weird as it was mostly rice. The Crabmeat + Pork Buns were yummy. Despite being Asian, I've never had "Shanghai" style - where they're filled with broth and you make a small hole in the "bun," suck out the broth, then eat the rest. I learned something new! The same went for the Fried Soup Pork Buns as the name suggests. Overall, food was good, but I would say it's comparable to other good dim sum places in Philly. We actually didn't find this place that cheap relative to other dim sum joints. For those three dishes, it was about $20 bucks with tip - that's quite steep for a dim sum dive. Maybe it's priced higher because service is so great here? No. Our waiter was inpatient and walked by and dropped off our plates without even looking at us or telling us what dish he landed on our table.
(3)
Jon Z.
Consistently good cheap Chinese food hidden next to a former shady Chinatown bus depot The xiao lon bao is what most diners come here for but the rest of the menu is delicious and affordable. Get the scallion pancakes and some of the noodle dishes. You will spent about $10-15 per person and leave extremely full and happy! The decor could be improved but you can't expect everything. Also the service can be kind of blank and to the point but this is typical of many Chinatown restaurants.
(4)
Linda N.
As other Yelpers have mentioned, this place does not offer a wide range of dim sum as its name "Dim Sum Garden" implies, but it surely didn't disappoint. What we ordered: - Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns), $5.75 - Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings), $5.75 - (Fried) Turnip Cake, $5ish - Shanghai Siu Mai, $5.75 - Chili Cabbage Shredded Pork Soup, $1.50 - Shanghai Wonton Noodle*, $5.75 - Zha Jiang Mian (Minced Pork Noodle), $5.75 Xiao long bao was good, as was the zha jiang mian. The xiao long bao's juice was absolutely delicious and zha jiang mian is my new favorite by far! Har gow, fried turnip cake, and chili cabbage shredded pork soup didn't live up to my expectations, however. Har gow was a bit fishy (probably an off-day), turnip cake had a fried pastry casing (which we didn't mind, but it was different from what we had before), and chili cabbage shredded pork soup was actually preserved vegetable shredded pork soup (which is fine, but I was expecting literally spicy cabbage because of the "chili" in the name). The Shanghai siu mai was a complete surprise because of the sticky rice filling. It wasn't bad, by any means, but we thought we ordered the normal shrimp & pork siu mai. *Cousin had the Shanghai wonton noodle, which didn't look that appetizing to me, but consisted of the same handmade noodles in the zha jiang mian. On another note, the dumpling sauce combined with the chili oil here is phenomenal. I love a good dumping sauce. Just be careful of the stickiness around the bottle from previous uses. With that said, I'll be back soon for the xiao long bao and zha jiang mian. Getting hungry just thinking about it!
(4)
Steve S.
Gotta hand it to the Yelp app for taking me to a place I never would have looked at twice based on the outside. Boy, this place seems to be legendary. After tasting the food, I can see why. Now, let's just get the issues out there that keeps me from giving this 5 stars. No, it's not much to look at. No, it's not the best location in the Chinatown area. No, the service isn't 5 star. In fact, as I look back, I found something a bit odd. So I order up some wonton soup, and the famous steamed soup dumplings. I got the wonton soup first and loved it. About 10 minutes later, the server comes to me and says that they ran out of steamed soup dumplings, but she had a plate of fried dumplings in her hand and asked if would I like those instead. I took them. But as I look back... I have a sneaky suspicion that they accidentally made mine fried, and tried to talk me into them. I'll say this... the fried dumplings have the same juiciness to them, and just a wonderful flavor. I do suspect that the frying makes the skin tougher which, in turn, makes the dumplings squirt more when you try to bite into them. Let's just say that my shirt took a bath even with the spoon, and I'm so glad that no one was sitting to my right. Food wise... most definitely 5 star for the dumpling taste alone. I gotta get back for the real deal soon.
(4)
Jenny L.
I've been trying to find a place for shanghai soup buns, because the best ones I've had so far were in NY's Chinatown, Shanghai Cafe has some pretty good soup buns. Well, I've finally found the place! Dim Sum Garden isn't in the best location ever and the interior decoration might as well look like a regular cafe in HK/China (which does give you that feel of being in a cafe in another country). But they've got pretty good soup buns! We just tried some small plates and an order of broccoli and chicken which isn't exactly what you would think it'd to be. They marinate their chicken with star anise and other flavors. So don't think white chicken breast because it's not. Got an order of the regular pork soup buns, an order of the crab meat and scallion pancakes. The pork ones were better and the scallion pancakes were a bit on the salty side. Other than that, this place is fulfilling and cheap. A hole in the city, but quite a popular place. I would definitely come back for the soup buns since I now know a location that makes them fresh!
(4)
Sandro C.
Noodles and dumplings are made on premises. All fresh, authentic and highly tasty.
(5)
Liz B.
I originally wrote a 5 star review back in 11/2011, but I have officially removed it. I will admit that I used to love this place because their pork juicy buns are delicious,however the service that I have received the past two visits was horrible. Service here was never great to begin with, but it was tolerable until my last two visits. Tonight I went with a group of friends and we had to ask for water more than three times before getting any. One person at my table was told to go get her own drink - in a very rude tone. Our plates were dropped onto the table. On week days when there is less of a crowd, I have had better service, but still. This is unacceptable - I don't care how busy you are - it's no excuse for treating your reoccurring customers like trash. I will never recommend nor step into this place again no matter how much I crave their juicy buns.
(1)
MC M.
You could walk right past Dim Sum Garden. It's small, located under a creepy overpass kind of thing, filled with cheap plastic tables and chairs. You could walk right past it and never know ecstasy. Dim Sum Garden is the best, affordable dim sum in Philly. I SAID IT. D and I strolled in, starving, and were promptly attended by our very sweet, very thorough waitress. It took us a few moments, but we ordered the juicy pork buns ("soup dumplings"), the bok choy, the shrimp noodles and the scallion pancake. On the waitress's recommendation, we also bought the seasonal mooncake. The mooncake is KILLER. It comes in this really succulent flaky dough. The meat is ground very fine and is hard to describe -- it has a distinctly earthy flavor while remaining really juicy. The juicy buns (about 5$ for eight) are fucking phenomenal, the end. Great flavor, great amount of liquid, beautiful little dumpling shells. I personally enjoy the bok choy (maybe 4$ish?) and their ocean of oil. The scallion pancake is GREAT (2.50$, to fuel your addiction), put some dumpling sauce and nom away. I was less impressed with the shrimp noodles (5$ something): the noodles were fresh and chewy, but I think the dish needs a more robust meat (duck, pork, beef) to really come together. We got all of that for a grand total of 24$. We were stuffed. We rolled out, singing Dim Sum Garden's praises. So, go get it, Philly.
(5)
Steve E.
Get the soup dumplings! Pretty delicious. When you are done getting soy sauce and soup all over the front of your face and shirt/blouse, dive right into the scallion pancakes. Both of these dishes are the best things this restaurant offers. Definitely go there for those two things
(4)
Cher B.
I've had shanghai dumplings at Joe's in NY and Chinese restaurants in Sf...this one in Philly was MOST DELICIOUS. The dumplings were bigger and meatier and hit the spot. I'm almost ashamed to say that I enjoyed this meal better than the 2 cheesesteak shops I visited, which were the main reasons I came to Philly. We also ordered the fried dumplings, which were also DELICIOUS. We came in for a mid day snack and these two items were exactly what we needed. Also, the service here was awesome. Food came out fast and everyone who worked there was SO NICE. (I'm not used to this--in SF Chinese restaurants, 98% of service is pretty terrible). Excellent food & service- if I were in Philly again, I might skip the cheesesteak and get some dumplings. Never thought I would ever say that.
(5)
Connie F.
The crab meat shao long ton ( soup dumpling) bao was delicous!!
(4)
Emily W.
Location and bright fluorescent lights aside, this place is worth a visit. It's now my go-to for steamed vegetable buns AND steamed vegetable dumplings. Not only do they not skimp on the fillings and have tons of veggies, they are super flavorful and fresh tasting. We got a lot of food for our table of four and my favorites (other than the veggie stuff) were the pan fried pork dumplings and the pork dumpling and noodle soup. The pork wasn't too greasy and it was moist and gingery. I wasn't a huge fan of the pickled cabbage and pork noodles- a little stinky and funky tasting- but the other people (Asians) in my party liked them. I also liked that they had sauteed Chinese broccoli, but unfortunately, it was probably the greasiest item we got. They have a slim dessert selection so I recommend going to one of the Chinatown bakeries to satisfy your sweet tooth. The service was super-quick and friendly. And the price- cheap. They're a great alternative if you find yourself waiting in too long of a line for dim sum in the Chinatown area.
(4)
Robert P.
Don't eat here it's not the original. They moved around the corner. You couldn't pay me money to eat here again. The real Originals should sue
(1)
Matt E.
Hands down the best place to go for dim sum in the city (don't confuse this one with the one on Race Street). Definitely order the soup dumplings when you go here....they are made perfectly and do not break apart when you pick them up. I also recommend their duck noodles and bok choy. The service here is extremely friendly and you cannot beat the prices. All in all one of the best meals you can get in Philly.
(5)
Alyssa R.
My mom and I went late in the evening and was expecting food to be somewhat "old" and just reheated but we were WRONG! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with a smile and a menu. I told the owner(?) that I wanted food to go and he smiled and said that's fine (small language barrier but not bad). The food, we just got chicken and friend rice to be on the safe side but now I wish we got more food!!! Clean restaurant, clean kitchen and food tastes and is freshly made. Wonderful service and great tasting food. Definitely a hidden gem!
(5)
Alex L.
Dim Sum Garden is definitely a hidden gem. The Good: Not your typical dim sum! The food tastes incredibly fresh and most items are handmade in the kitchen, not shipped in frozen bulk packs from dumpling sweatshops in Mexico or whatever. Try the Xiao Long Bao and other dim sum dishes, you'll taste the difference. DSG's service is exceptional as well -- the servers are attentive and staff members are friendly and accommodating! (They only speak Chinese.) If you're looking for the authentic Chinese experience, look no further. The Bad: They don't have the cute little carts. Boo. Apparently they are unrelated to the new Dim Sum Garden which just opened on 10th and Race? Regardless, completely worth going!
(4)
Nick C.
I am so happy to see this place reviewed well! I have eaten the Soup Dumplings on so many occasions, but recently sat down for the full monty. I LOVE THIS PLACE EVEN MORE! Super friendly atmosphere, food comes out as it is cooked, incredibly reasonably priced, and absolutely delicious. Five Stars.
(5)
Pingyi L.
Don't let the location fools you. How can anything good located right by the bus station. But Dim Sum garden is super authentic! The soup dumplings were juicy and well seasoned. Don't forget to also try the beef noodles. The noodles were freshly home made with perfect texture. The beef noodles were tasty and reminded me of home!
(5)
Caliope S.
Delicious fried pork rice. Didn't try enough varieties of dim sum to rate that. Place looks bare bones, but service was quick and friendly, and prices seemed fair. I would return if I found myself in the area again on business.
(3)
Dan C.
DSG, I love you. I always thought that you were some sort of shady hotel for weary Chinatown bus travelers supported by neon columns of light. Part fantasy world and part depressing-looking food. But holy cow, you are so delicious that I want to hug you forever. Why didn't you tell me earlier how delicious you are? That your pork buns are full of delicious juice? That I almost said, "screw it" to the fishballs because your broth was so good? I am coming back for more scallion pancakes, fried to a crisp. I will be in the loving slushy embrace of your fruit smoothie with tapioca. Just you wait, my credit card will always hit that $15 minimum, but I know that if I were feeling cheap, I could pay you in cash and walk away a fuller and not-so-much-poorer man.
(5)
Sun Y.
Really disappointing. The xiao lung bao and fried xiao lung bao were good, but everything else was not very good. The scallion pancakes were ok. Probably would not go back, didn't like the atmosphere.
(3)
Derek G.
While in Philly for a few days during the storm, I ate here 4 times. Not just cause it was one of the only places open, but because the food is that damn good. Those soup dumplings are the business! Don't sleep on the beef brisket with noodles either. Some of the best Chinese food I've had.
(5)
Rachel H.
I'd totally go back! Overall, for the price and the portions, it was great - nice hole in the wall. If you're looking for carts and dumpling pushers, you've got the wrong place - if you're looking for soup dumplings and good food, you've got the right place! The soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are hot and soothing - a little sip of soup inside a tasty dumpling - we got the the pork and it was great. We also had buns, cabbage dumplings, and a soup each. It was just over $20, which was a more spendy lunch for us but it was a great choice. I'm jonsing to go back!
(5)
Connie S.
No-frills dumpling joint located in the sketchy Chinatown bus pick-up area. Most people pass this place and dismiss it upon first glance, but if you love pork buns/dumplings there is no better place in Philly to find them. Dim Sum Garden is all about the pork. Other meats need not apply. And that's fine with me - I'd happily eat their Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings, aka Shanghai dumplings) and Sheng Jian Bao ("pan fried juicy pork buns," as the neon paper specials sign dubs them) every day for the rest of my life. Sure, they have alternatives, veggie and chicken dumplings, etc., but you'll only get that rich soup filling with pork. The noodle bowls are substantial in size, but nothing to write home about for the soup content or quality of noodles (although I do think the wontons are made in-house, and those are tasty). The menu has respectable non-meat options, but nothing that will have vegetarians clamoring to come back. Super cheap, quick, and yummy. Just one word of caution: watch out that you don't try to eat too quickly - the food is piping hot, and overeagerness may lead to a burnt tongue.
(4)
C K.
Looks super shady and like you might get food poisoning from eating there, but their food is delicious, and to date, I've been there probably 7 times and never had any problems (or had anyone that I've been with have any problems). The standout items there are the steamed juicy buns (very authentic) and the pan fried juicy buns (pockets of deliciousness).
(4)
Michael M.
I've been reading about this place for a while and finally got to try Dim Sum Garden. Looking forward to the famed soup dumplings, I was sorely disappointed. They were pretty much like all of the other dumplings in Chinatown. The rest of the meal was okay, if a little salty. If you're really looking for phenomenal soup dumplings, check out Yang Yang Express in Upper Darby.
(2)
Diana K.
Agree with the other reviewers-- this isn't really a dimsum place. While they do have some dimsum offerings on their menu, their specialty seems to be the soup dumplings... yum!
(3)
Mary K.
Yum I had the pork and chives steam dumplings. I wish I was more hungry/had more company, but it was only me on my adventure in Philly and this definitely hit the spot for some steamed dumplings. Will definitely stop by next time
(4)
Irene M.
Very disappointed with this restaurant :-( The Yelp rating is 4 star! The noodles with soup, shrimp dumpling and soup dumpling are not that great. The egg roll is okay. The only thing that was great was the service. Sorry... but we'll go back to the restaurant along Race Street next time we visit Philly Chinatown again.
(1)
Lils N.
The ladies that run this restaurant are awesome and have to deal with a lot of crap since its in the center of Chinatown right next to the bus stop. I've ordered take out so many times that now they ask how I'm doing and where I've been. I always get the Xiao Long Bao (Pork Soup Dumplings) and the Shen Jian Bao (pan fried pork buns). They are my FAVORITE Shanghai dishes and Dim Sum Garden does a pretty good job providing me with the authentic taste. What makes a good Pork Soup Dumplings is that the buns need to have tasty broth and thin skin. Considering how fast the service is, I'm pretty satisfied. If you want a twist, you can get the crab and Pork Soup dumplings, but its not as good as the original Pork Soup Dumplings. I give 5 stars b/c the owners/waitresses are super sweet and provide amazing service, the prices are pretty fair, and they open pretty late when I have my Chinese food cravings.
(5)
Paul L.
Being a lover of Shanghainese food, I was dismayed for the longest time that there's no good Shanghainese restaurant in the city of Philadelphia, but that all changed 3 years ago when my friend brought me to this hole-in-the-wall in the dirty tunnel below the Hilton Hotel. Sure, I was skeptic at first. If the Chinatown bus wasn't located right next door, I would avoid walking down this path, especially at night, even being a tall burly man that I am. And the restaurant looks like any cheap American Chinese food take out place, there's no interior decor to speak of, the tables seems to be burnt by cigarettes at one point or another and who wants to seat inside and smell the fumes and cigarette smokes of passer-bys? All that aside, the food is pretty phenomenal. Unlike all the other Chinatown establishments that are still trying to perfect their soup dumplings (aka Xiao Long Bao), this place already have it all figured out. The wrappers are not too thin that it'll tear apart easily nor too thick that you get a whole mouth of dough, inside there's a fatty and meaty broth, I'm partial of the crab meat and pork one that gives it a milky taste but the pork one is also good by itself. A tiny sprinkle of red vinegar and you're in soup dumpling heaven and you don't need to jump on one of those New York buses parked right next door to get this experience. The scallion pancakes here are lovely, Jose Garces' Chifa can come and take a page on how to make good scallion pancakes. Crispy, flaky, fragrant with scallions, again with a dash of vinegar to make the acid dance with the oiliness makes a tiny mouth of heaven. The Siu Mai here is not your normal kind that are stuffed with pork and shrimp, this kind is stuffed with sticky rice. I have to say I was a tiny bit disappointed since this place is advertised as Dim Sum Garden and I was hoping they would have more dim sum that I see regularly but I actually do like their Siu Mai as well. I have always been a fan of anything sticky rice, if they had named it Sticky Rice Siu Mai, I would have been a lot more content, but they tasted good. There are cold appetizers like 5-spice beef or the bowl of duck tongues that can be good if you're in the mood for it. They also have hand shaved noodle soup or rice vermicelli soup that works for the hungrier ones. Try the pork and pickled vegetable rice vermicelli that is a favorite for a lot of people. But if you're not famished, stick with trying more dim sum type dishes. Next time I'm going back I will have to try the turnip cake and my oh so favorite red bean pancake.
(4)
Teresa L.
Let's get this off my chest: This is not dim sum. This is normal, portioned food. So don't "dim sum" ME, unless you got your fried taro or radish cakes, shrimped wrapped in rice noodles, and saumai THAT HAS MEAT IN IT. Otherwise, this is a good place. The Shanghai saumai was like WHOA to my taste buds (sticky rice inside?!) and the green onion pancake was delectable. I totally got the Shanghai wonton noodle soup high. Perfectly seasoned (i.e. salted just enough that the wonton flavor still dominates). Let's see, oh yes and the Xiao Long Bao was DRIPPING in its juices. And adding juiciness to juiciness was our pork/chive dumplings. Cute little things didn't disappoint. The condiments they put out (ginger-soy sauce, and this other sweet vinegar) were lovely. Mm! See? I'm only mad about the name, but my tummy says everything's going to be alllllll right.
(4)
Sandy T.
I love this place, I've been to DSG on three separate occasions and it's always been good, every single visit. The pork and crab steamed dumplings were to die for, I get that every time I go there, steaming hot flavored broth, doughy covering, succulent meat filling, nothing better :) The scallion pancakes were good too, better than any I've had before around Chinatown, crunchy, doughy, and didn't taste like it came from the freezer. The decor's pretty, casual, spacious, and homely and the staff is nice.
(5)
Frank S.
it's ok. But not so good. Just fine.
(3)
Clarissa G.
I live in NY but I travel I95 a lot. Every time I travel through PA I make a point to get off the highway in Philly & go to Dim Sum Garden. I always get 2 orders of the juicy pork buns because one order is never enough. They are slap your mama, finger licking, bite the tips off good. Juicy buns are the only thing I've ever order from Dim Sum so I can't really speak in the rest of the menu. The service for me has always been fast & friendly. It is so worth try, plus it's a cheap eat.
(5)
Nhu P.
My review is strictly for the xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Their soup dumplings are BY FAR, the BEST I have ever had! Better than Joe's Shanghai. Perfect amount of skin, not too thick and not too thin that they break. The broth inside is AMAZING, its rich and flavorful and needs no additional sauce but I still put some of their dumpling sauce in it because its great there! Pork or crab stuffing, both great! Quick, tasty, and cheap! I travel all the way from MD to have these when I get the craving so you know its good! As far as the dim sum goes, if you are expecting standard cart style dim sum, then you might want to go elsewhere first, then come here for the soup dumplings. Their dim sum is shanghai style and if you're into that then hey, by all means, enjoy! I'm just not a huge fan of shanghai style dim sum so I don't base my opinion on the restaurant from that. Their rice dishes are good and filling though. Honestly, try their xiao long bao and then decide if you really think that Joe's shanghai is THAT great...
(5)
Thomas A.
I absolutely love this place. Yes, the decor is bare bones, and the location leaves quite a bit to be desired, but if you ever hoped that a restaurant would put aside its efforts in 'atmosphere' and overhead and just concentrate on the food, than this is it. I've been here about a dozen times, and I always start with the Shanghai dumplings. I'm a former chef, and still haven't the foggiest as to how they get the soup into these tiny dumplings. Pieces of heaven though. Their noodles are all hand made and perfect; I brought my brother here who's been to mainland china several times, and even he agrees the noodles are exquisite. Perhaps I have the advantage of being treated as a frequent customer, but their service is great. The same girl at the counter always greets me with a smile, and knows me well enough to not even give me a menu - she just gets me my dumplings and whatever is fresh that day. You can have a 5 dish dinner here and barely spend more than $20. For the quality of the food, this is a steal. Having said all of this, let me add that they use MSG rather unapologetically. I'm alright with that; I don't encounter MSG in many other places, so I allow myself this occasional diversion from my eating norms. Try it, you won't regret it.
(5)
Nancy W.
Dim Sum Garden was a welcome surprise. We were looking for a quick bite to eat before the Philadelphia Flower Show and found out about Dim Sum Garden here at Yelp. The pork and chive dumplings were the best I've ever had, soup dumplings were great, beef noodle soup was so-so, scallion pancakes good but a little bland. This is definitly a take-out, dive atompshere, but they had table service and the whole experience was a satisfying adventure.
(4)
C K.
went here for lunch, got like 4 dishes. first was the wine chicken... which was interesting because usually they do not drench it with wine... but it wasn't bad, nothing spectacular though. 2nd dish was the sui mai.. which was kind of bland 3rd dish was the #1... shanghai steamed buns? this is prob the best thing about this place. It is alot better compared to other dim sum places in china town. 4th was minced beef with rice.. which wasn't really what I was expecting.. it was not that goood. if you want shanghai steamed buns however.. come to this place
(3)
susan o.
i've left philly for western shores and boy do i miss the food. really. if i lived in sf, i might be okay but i live in the redwoods 2 hours north and the only "asian" restaurant in my town serves "sushi and burgers" . emmmmm i thinks i shall pass. so, that being said, my return trip to philly shall be based on the 3 f's - food, family, and friends (and goddamnit yes! in that order!) high on my list will be dim sum garden. ahhh i want a soup dumpling NOW! i want hand pulled noodles NOW! i want scallion pancakes sooo NOW! gimme triple steamed dumplings or i might cry! i'd like to think its a hidden gem but who would we be kidding... craig laban gives it bells up and the last time i was there in the summer, iron chef jose garces was having a business meeting with his chef buddies over dumplings. turns out he's a fan too. plus 100+ positive yelp reviews? as everyone has said, do not be fooled by linoleum and neon. do not question yourself with sanitary concerns (hell... its an open kitchen... that makes it 1000000x cleaner than just about anywhere else in c-town). just be freakin stoked that you can eat beyond contentment with leftovers for $15 (tip generously people!!! those girls are super sweet). and goddamnit stop taking away points cause this isnt "traditional" dimsum. for chrissakes, sorry you cant have rolling carts with dumplings and sticky rice in banana leaves. INSTEAD, you can dumplings that are cooked when you order them, scallion pancakes that have the best crisp ever, and your option of dry or soupy noodles. word of warning for the cilantro haters... YEAH they garnish their soups with a touch of cilantro. thankfully nothing like pho spots, but we quick to grab that sucker outta there before real soup contamination can happen. even with that in mind, i give it enthusiastically 5 stars.
(5)
Kristine F.
Spent an afternoon going from restaurant to restaurant in attempts to find some kind of replacement for Lakeside (RIP). You can almost miss this place, it's tucked away under a parking garage on a dark side street. The scallion pancake was good, the soup dumplings were great, they have some very nice sauces on the table that are also tasty. I would definitely suggest that if you are looking for Shanghai Dumplings (soup dumplings) that you stop in and try this place. We had good service and the prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Sharon W.
Sometimes, I can't believe that this place is in Philadelphia. I've been to places in San Francisco and New York, and I truly believe that the taste of the Xiao Long Baos here are comparable if not better. The soup noodles and the onion pancakes here are not bad either. The area seems a little sketchy on the outside but once inside you'll find a clean eatery.
(4)
Christopher D.
Beneath the tunnel and amidst the fumes from the Chinatown buses, lies a gem in Chinatown. Dim Sum Garden, a non-descript little out post under a neon sign continues to put out some great food. They make the so called juicy buns, or xiao long bao as well as anyone in the area. You bite into the pillows of goodness and you get an explosion of pork broth along with great filling. The other offerings, soups, dumplings and standard chinese entree are ok, but go for the juicy buns. Cannot wait for them to emerge in their new location from underneath the tunnel to the sunshine in Chinatown.
(4)
Larry J.
These people know what they are doing when it comes to the Pork Dumpling Soup, Pan Fried Pork Dumplings and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. Staff, including owner are friendly, nice, kind and willing to do whatever it takes to serve and please your palate. I have been to many places in the USA for Asian Food and I think that this is one of the best when it comes to freshness and quality. Prices are very reasonable and you should be very happy with speed of service!
(5)
Sam Z.
A nondescript, Chinese home-style looking establishment, tucked in the throws of a tunnel along N 11th street. It's the type of place that most passersby would just well, pass by. But for those willing to stop, you are in for a treat. Walking in from the cold, I warmed up body and taste buds with a dumpling noodle soup. The broth was on the weak side, lacking flavor, but the dumplings were tasty and plentiful and the bok choy crisp and fresh tasting. The real foodie fun however would begin with their signature, Xiao Long Bo (soup dumplings). Served steaming hot, in lots of 8, I eagerly dug into these pale colored puffs. While this was not my first Xiao Long Bo (XLB), it quickly became apparent that I had not attained veteran status just yet. Stuffing the first few (delicious) dumplings into my mouth whole, the waitress quickly spotted my transgression, and rushed to my rescue with a lesson in the art of Xiao Long Bo consumption. How amazing is that? First, place the dumpling in your spoon. Second, bite off the top of the dumpling and sip the soup slowly (yum). Third, eat deflated dumpling and enjoy. With technique mastered, I was now equipped to enjoy them to their maximum potential. That potential was awesome. Not only were the XLB top notch, so to (to my surprise) was the service; not exactly what you'd expect at a hole in the wall on the fringes of Chinatown. Extra napkins, dipping sauce, hot & cold beverage refills, and a masters degree in dumpling consumption, brought my way, without even having to ask. This place is can't miss on your next visit to Phila Chinatown. -SZ
(4)
Tyler R.
If you want Shanghai broth (juice) buns (aka Xiao Long Bao), come here. Eat as many as you can. Dim Sum Garden is easily one of the least pretentious places in the city. Since it's house in a store front that's in a tunneled section between Filbert and Arch St., you could miss it without any problem. DSG is a testament to what great food does for your business. In addition to the XLB try the duck gizzard, duck tongue, soups, and dumplings. Okay, duck tongue and gizzard are definitely not for everyone, and they give you plenty, but DSG is that good that you'll eat duck tongue and gizzard happily. My favorite feature of the restaurant is that you can look over the counter and watch the chefs making each bun and dumpling by hand. It's an unbelievable skills that yields serious deliciousness.
(4)
Peter L.
By far one of the best chicken on a stick I have eaten in my life. Their shanghai dumplings are also amazing. Of course it is not as good as Joe's shanghai in NY, but if you do not want to take that 2 hour drive and stay in philly, this is def the place to be. On to of that, its CHEAP!! Good food reasonable price, can't beat that!!!
(4)
Aaron C.
WARNING: DO NOT GO. TRY ANOTHER PLACE. BAD SERVICE, AWFUL FOOD(POSSIBLY RAW). Came here another time. Asked for steamed pork buns, steamed crabmeat and pork buns, shrimp dumplings and marinated pork. In general, food sucks this time, as well as the service. I will never set foot in this crappy place again. Try to buy some frozen shrimp dumplings and steam them yourself, it'll still beat the hell of the ones in this place. I bet even if you grab some raw shrimp and wrap them in some cookie dough, and eat it directly, it still beats the ones here. As for the pork buns, well, it tasted a bit raw, and the center of the stuffing inside was still red like the center of a medium rare steak. I'm personally okay with undercooked meat, but this is pork, and it is not supposed to be raw in the bun! I had it anyway since I was starving. Now I regret I did since I'm feeling food poisoning now. The service sucked as well. I should have expected this yet once again they surprised me. It took about long enough waiting to be served, and then another 15mins waiting for the buns. The server only brought the crabmeat buns but not the pork buns in the beginning. After we've finished everything else, the pork buns was not ready. I asked the server and was told "right away". After 10 mins or so, it was finally brought to me. I can only assume they forgot the order at first. Finished dinner I asked for the check. Handwritten, of course. They wrote the prices for the four dishes, and a total. It appears the total is not the sum of the four dishes, so I thought I should ask. Then the b**ch at the counter just freaked out saying "the calculation is right". She showed me how it was done. Basically it was right: the total was after tax. Only if she put the tax on the receipt I would have known that, and every other restaurant I've been to will do so. And then she was like "this is America, of course it includes tax" with a condescending tone. WTF? I've been here for years and I suddenly don't know I'm in America now? I thought okay, whatever. I'm not going to argue, I'll just pay then, but she then said "I'll put the 15% tip in as well." And then she put in an amount and was about to swipe my card. HEY! I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU 15% EVEN FOR THE AWFUL FOOD AND SERVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT JUST CHARGE ME THAT WITHOUT MY CONSENT! So I told her hell no, I'm not giving you 15% tip. Eventually I just wrote a big zero on the tip and gave them what they charged for food only - not that they earned it. And then the b**ch murmured something to other people like "they are poor". LOL. I can give 20% tip if I like the service and the food. But for this? And she even wants to charge me directly with food? I would have given negative tips if I could. If you have reached here. I appreciate your patience. Take my advice: don't go to this place. B**ch and awful food ALERT.
(1)
Melanie B.
take it from someone who has grown up eating dim sum pretty frequently with family... this is the worst, dirtiest dim sum I have ever had. there were obvious shrimp shells in my dumplings. everything was greasy. there is no ambiance and everything is served on plastic plates. no carts of food. the service is slow and unfriendly. hipsters flock here. do yourself a favor and pass on this one. go to 11th and race at lunch time and grab some dim sum from joy tsin loa. you won't regret it.
(1)
Erin D.
This is your typical Chinese restaurant in terms of decor. It's functional and plain. There are tables and chairs; that's all you need. The table and chopsticks are clean; that's all you need. This was my first time having Shanghai-style dim sum, since Houston mainly has Hong Kong-style dim sum. I ordered the juicy buns, and they were DELICIOUS. The waitress sensed I was out of my element, so she nicely explained how to eat them (as explained in other reviews). The soup broth inside was phenomenal. I also ordered the siu mai, which is very different than what I am used to, but still tasty. The wonton wrapper on the siu mai could be less pasty or doughy if possible. The siu mai though is absolutely huge compared to the Hong Kong style. My eight juicy buns, four pieces of siu mai, and two bottles of water were $11, an absolutely wonderful price, although credit cards require a minimum of $15. The service was very good too, unlike your typical Chinese restaurant. This is also convenient for those staying at the Hilton Garden Inn across the street. I will definitely come again!
(4)
Jessie L.
While the soup dumplings are definitely worth getting, this place doesn't have a lot of the dim sum dishes I was looking for. I would skip on the shrimp dumplings, which were oversteamed, and also skip on the very ordinary scallion pancakes. This place also has a $20 minimum for credit cards do bring cash or plan to get 4 dishes. I thought the waitstaff was fine however I did hear them say quite a few nasty things about customers in mandarin.
(3)
Ashleigh M.
Yes - this place is situated in a shady location, just footsteps from the Chinatown bus station.... Yes - this place doesn't LOOK the cleanest.... Yes, the waitstaff provides minimal service... HOWEVER, the food is DELICIOUS and the one time I used the bathroom it was shockingly clean. Although you should never judge a book by its cover, you should ALWAYS judge a restaurant by the cleanliness of it's bathroom ;) Seriously though, this place is my goto.... The steamed pork juicy buns are divine - if you don't know how to eat them, make sure to ask! It's basically a soup filled dumpling and you are supposed to slurp the soup out of the dumpling before you eat it - mmmmmm! The chicken on a stick is exactly as you guessed, chicken meat grilled on a stick, great if you need that extra boost of protein in your meal. The scallion pancakes are amazing as well, I smother them in the hot oil and gyoza sauce on the table. Additional favorites include - shanghai shumai, pork noodle in sauce (sounds weird, tastes great!), cucumbers (oh so refreshing - I ask for them spicy), and any of the noodle soups. Also the smoothies (I have been meaning to ask for no added sugar since they taste so delicious they must have SOMETHING added!) and the iced bubble tea are key. I'm sure I'll be seeing ya sooner rather than later Dim Sum Garden!!!
(5)
Christine L.
Think of Dim Sum Garden as street food with a ceiling, and your expectations will be right on par with what you get. Great introduction to Shanghainese Dim Sum- you'll find that some of your favorites (turnip cakes, shao mai) are completely different than the regular dim sum you may have been looking for. Both steamed and fried versions of dumplings and buns are delicious. Don't choose one or the other. Order both, and while you wait for your order, admire the strangely labeled sauces on the table. And don't forget the Xiaolongbao! Definitely don't miss out on that. The server said the noodles are made in-house, and they definitely have that handmade, chewy texture. Recommend the pork with sauce noodle (I think that's the right name). Fast service (when there are two servers). Go with a group so you can eat a ton of different dishes.
(4)
Perpetual K.
Located in the ghetto version of the bat cave - I hit up this place often for lunch when I journey to Chinatown and usually walk away satisfied. I always get the soup dumplings and try a different dish each time I visit. Sometimes the soup dumplings are great and filled with broth and sometimes they are so-so with several empty broth-less dumplings. More often than not though the soup dumplings are pretty decent. They used to offer different sauces to eat with the dumplings but as of recently those have disappeared (disappointingly). Other dishes on the menu include various meats-over-rice and handmade noodle dishes (with or without soup). I would stay away from the meat-over-rice dishes - it's nothing special. The handmade noodles are good and will warm you up nicely on a cold Philly day. I would say the soup dumplings and the handmade noodle dishes are the specialty of this joint. Prices are good (not the cheapest in C-Town but still better than most of Philly). Service can be spotty (especially when it's busy). Best for people who don't mind eating inside of a tunnel.
(3)
Yoko S.
this is my favorite dim sum place in PA. crab suop dumpling is really juicy and taste good!! it is very closed to grey hound bus staion so before take bus or whe get off bus, i do take out, also bubble tea are very good. i like honeydew bubble tea,
(5)
Kim V.
Soup dumplings are a tad bit too doughy. Giving three stars because it could be better
(3)
Angie C.
I loved their soup dumplings and scallion pancake! The fact that their dumpling dipping sauce is amazing is a major plus!
(5)
Saman S.
Pretty good, you'll get a decent meal for a good price.
(3)
Dean D.
I've been to Dim Sum restaurants in San Francisco and NY's Chinatown and have to say thanks to my fellow Yelper "Veronica X" for turning me on to this place. The food is excellent and I did try the Xioa Long Bao and really enjoyed these little soup dumplings. The server had to do some hands on training otherwise we'd be wearing much of it but they were very tasty! The Chinese broccoli was excellent. I believe they prepare it in a garlic miso sauce. Also recommend the scallion pancakes. I'll be back!
(4)
Karen C.
As delicious as I remember! Xiao lung bao are juicy and scrumptious. Best scallion pancakes that I have had in a while!
(5)
Steven W.
has the feel of an expanded take-out restaurant. Although they don't offer the full variety of dim sum that is available at traditional large restaurants, they do have a good variety. Their steamed pork juicy buns are made fresh and are perfectly cooked. Scallion pancake is crisp and not doughy at all. Food is also very cheap!
(4)
Nadine K.
In the dead of winter, I wanted soup dumplings, and yelp led me to them, at Dim Sum Garden. It is to yelp I return to sing their praises. A soup dumpling is exactly what it sounds like: it's a fresh dumpling with soup and a nugget of dumpling filling, usually pork or seafood or some combo of the two, inside. It's dumpling soup turned inside out. On a blustery, cold day, it is heaven. Go to Dim Sum Garden - as far as I know they make the only soup dumplings in Philadelphia. Ignore the total lack of atmosphere and the dingy floors. Pay no attention to the eau de bus emanating from the idling Chinatown bus just outside. Order the #2 Steamed Buns w/ Pork & Crab Meat ($5.75). There will be a longish pause, and then a tray of eight soup dumplings will appear. Have both chopsticks and spoon at the ready. Use the chopsticks to gently, carefully lift a dumpling. The hot dough will stick to the dumpling beside it; the chopstick points will threaten to tear the thin membrane. Do not let this happen. Settle the intact dumpling on the spoon. Delicately nip off the top of the dumpling and at the same time slurp out some soup. It is hot and very rich. There is a covered blue and white cup on the table labelled vinegar. Drip a little of this dark vinegar into the dumpling. Its acid will cut and complement the rich broth. Eat the dumpling in two or three more bites. Repeat. I had assumed soup dumplings were an eat at the restaurant kind of food, but tonight I couldn't quite bear the lousy atmosphere, so I performed the to-go experiment. I also ordered scallion pancakes ($2.50) and Beef Brisket Noodle ($5.50). All made it home intact and quite tasty. The pancakes were acceptable, if nothing to write home about. The Beef Brisket Noodle was almost fantastic. I swear the noodles were fresh, and the brisket was tender and deeply flavorful. But the brown sauce, while yummy, was far too salty. I still ate it, of course, but the salt flavor lingers in my mouth.
(4)
Annie A.
Simply the best. Their Shangai Soup Dumplings complete me.
(4)
Ann V.
Hmmm... soup dumplings were interesting. When i took my first bite, the broth inside came pouring out and burnt my tongue. I'm not quite sure what i think of this place just yet but I suppose this place is decent. Will have to give it another try one day.
(3)
J G.
Don't let the sketchy underpass loiters and Chinatown bus crowd outside the restaurant deceive you! This is one of the best and cheapest dim sum restaurants in Philadelphia. The soup dumplings are some of the best in Philly. If they don't have something you want on the menu, ask for it, because they'll make it from scratch. The cashier and owners are from Beijing, so you'll get better service if you speak in northern Mandarin to them.
(4)
Vanessa H.
Based on two visits. Friendly service, good soup dumplings (great soup inside, mine were a little drier on top than one might want), and cheap. The location sucks unless you're waiting for a Chinatown bus, and there are flies. If I walk by some time, I'll stop by to try some of the other dumplingy things.
(3)
Felix L.
Talk about false advertising! So first of all, the restaurant name is misleading, so if you are looking for traditional dim sum, prepare to be disappointed. My friend and I ordered two orders of the shanghai dumplings (xiao long bao), and they were mediocre at best, even though they were plenty juicy. The siu mai wasn't made of pork and was oddly shaped. The beef noodle dish was unappetizing, and I don't know if that is a function of being fully fed or fully fed up with the service. While seated at the small, elevated table that's already pretty cramped for space, our server forced our dish onto the table, fully disregarding the lack of space. As a result, he spilled hot tea all over my friend and all over his Blackberry and digital camera. He did apologize profusely and I think he genuinely felt bad, but yikes! Also, since there is no waiting area and the restaurant was surprisingly packed throughout lunch, we felt watched the entire time. That's no way to dine! If this is the standard for Chinese food in Philly, you can't pay me enough to leave Cali for that. Ugh. Blackberries can be replaced, but the horrible memory of this "dim sum" experience can't. Oh well, at least they tried!
(1)
Shanna M.
An absolute must for anyone coming or going on the China town bus. While the depot is directly next door, a trip here will make certainly put a smile on even the most frustrated of travelers. My boyfriend and I split the Soup dumplings and the braised beef noodles it was more than enough for the both of us and all together cost $12. Can you believe that! Yeah me either! True the place does look like a typical corner Chinese food store, but I promise you once you get over the initial shock, this place will become one of your go to stops for quick, cheap and delicious food in the city.
(4)
Veronica X.
Best Shanghai style Dim Sum I've ever had outside of Shanghai. Xiao Long Bao ( literally"little buns in a steamer" or as most people here call it, Soup Dumplings): excellent. Eat them while they are hot (as hot you can handle) because the soup inside the dumplings will gelatinize when allowed to cool. Bite into them carefully so the soup won't explode onto your dining companions, which could result in 1st degree burn, expensive dry cleaning and possible breakup. Fried pastry with shredded Daikon (a kind of radish, similar to Turnip) filling: I liken the pastry shell to Croissant for the similar flaky, rich texture (of course no butter is used in traditional Chinese pastry so no buttery taste). I had better pastry shell elsewhere but the Daikon filling here can't be beat: moist, savory and fresh tasting. It comes in an order of two. Our first order was great so we ordered a second, and they rushed it out. When it was brought to our server's attention that the 2nd order was undercooked, the kitchen promptly made another order for us as replacement. Pan fried pork bun: slightly over-cooked at the bottom but still very good. Some people may find the skin a little thick and doughy, but keep in mind that it's made from yeast dough unlike your normal dumpling skin ( hence the inaccuracy in calling them dumplings). I shall return.
(4)
Eddie K.
Loved the XLB and Crab XLB. Those are a must. The skin is smooth unlike the ones I ate at Bob's Shanghai and Shanghai Taste in Rockville. The shrimp dumpling and fried XLB was pretty good too. The Zha Jiang Mian was just okay. Was expecting something in a bowl instead of a plate. They take credit cards here!
(4)
Nataly N.
I was really hungry one night when I wandered on 11th St near Chinatown and stumbled upon this place under the tunnel, ablaze with its neon signs. In the past, I've had many bad experiences with dumplings, many of which were filled with mystery substances that claimed to be "chicken" or "shrimp." However, this was not the case at Dim Sum Garden. For $3.75, I got 10 pieces of pan-fried pork & chives dumplings. They were crispy on the outside, yet juicy and flavorful on the inside. They were very filling and delicious. I haven't had other items on their menu, but I'd definitely recommend their chives & pork dumplings. The service was ok - friendly and quick. You can either eat in or take out. I chose to stay and the food came out pretty quickly. While there aren't many tables, they turn over pretty fast and someone comes out to clean them up immediately. Great place for a quick and inexpensive meal.
(4)
Carlin Y.
This place is awesome. It looks kinda dirty and a little sketchy, but they probably have the BEST soup dumplings in the Philly area that won't leave your wallet considerably lighter. They have pretty decent dim sum as well, other dishes are pretty standard, but everything is pretty cheap and portions aren't bad. Worth it if you're hungry and could use some inexpensive but decent Chinese food real fast! Right next to the Chinatown bus terminal, it's the perfect spot to chill out and snack in before taking the bus.
(4)
John D.
A unique take on traditional Chinese dim sum, the dishes are larger so you won't get to sample the normal variety. The juicy pork buns are challenging to eat make sure they cool down. Priced well, two will eat like kings for $25.
(3)
Markie J.
Amazing xiao long bao as I've been deprived of this for ages. How sad for I to be living in this city and not having gone to this restaurant. A little cozy place for a date, as my boyfriend took me here. Great for those who are Mandarin/Cantonese speakers as the selections suit Chinese-Americans' taste buds a little more (just IMO). The service was good but it was quite busy for a Sunday brunch. Though, if you expect this to be a five-star restaurant, rethink again because you have to be quite loud and make sure you are heard as they are again, busy. Again, I recommend the xiao long bao, because the skin is really soft, yet it holds in the soup and filling really well. Just don't burn your tongues on them because they can get quite hot. Btw, the Restaurant's name is quite misleading and the place is kind of isolated from the rest of Chinatown. It's not in the best location but be reassured - you'll get your money's worth. It's not expensive either! I'll be sure to return another day. Enjoy :) (Crude, Yelp doesn't post Chinese words. Ha, this is my first review ^_^.)
(4)
C Q.
This review is for the soup dumpling only - We got 4 orders of the pork soup dumplings ( or juicy pork dumplings) and an order of the scallion pancakes. The scallion pancake were good. The pork soup dumplings were really good. It had a lot of soup, the "skin" was thin and the flavor were great. I did not give it 5 stars because one of the soup dumplings had some pink stuff in it. We think it was not cooked through. We spoke to the wait staff. She insisted that it was crab meat (she said it was for extra flavoring). My kids are mildly allergic to seafood, so it was alarming to hear that they put crab meat in the pork soup dumplings. But then they didn't show any symptoms of the allergy, so I guess it's all good. I usually eat the soup dumplings with some young gingers and vinegar. The restaurant will provide the ginger if you ask for it. The ginger was not quite young enough and it was a little too thick. It is a small store located across street from Hilton near the Chinatown bus stop. While some people feel it was not a very safe location, I can only say that I don't feel any less safe there than anywhere in the surrounding area.
(4)
Matthew L.
What I really like is that the entrance to this is in a tunnel. It makes you feel like you are privy to some secret, and are entering the bat cave. Really simple location, read "not very glamorous". The soup dumplings are great. (Side note, I always burn the crap out of my tongue and can't taste them, so I might be off on the taste). What I like is quick in, quick out no fuss all for a similar price to fast food. That alone makes it shine.
(4)
Jason K.
My first time experiencing Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), and I have to say that I was ridiculously impressed! The place is located right next to a bus depot, and is not much to look at from the exterior (or interior for that matter), but the service was prompt & friendly, the food was piping hot, and the bill was CHEAP! Great combination if you ask me! Other highlights, in addition to the Xiao Long Bao included the vegetable steamed buns (perfect "doughyness"), scallion pancakes, and so many steamed dumplings (with pork filling) that I was ready to burst! All in all, definitely a place I'd recommend...and will be visiting again!
(4)
Bethany P.
I ran into this place for a quick lunch while attending a conference because everything else was jammed. Because I'm not a big fan of dumplings (I know, it's illegal, my fiance can not understand it) I ordered a noodle dish, thinking you can't go wrong with a noodle dish in an asian restaurant. What came out was basically egg noodles with little bacon bit like pieces of pork. I ate about 4 bites, and then went the rest of the afternoon being hungry. If you are going to come here, make sure you stick with the dim sum. However, given how many Asian restaurants there are in this area, I'd have to assume you can do way better.
(1)
Anna Marie C.
every time my family and i are in taiwan, we make multiple trips (sometimes on the same day) to din tai fung which is, arguably, the best place in the world to have soup dumplings. so suffice it to say, i'm kind of a soup dumpling snob. so imagine how excited i was to find a place in philadelphia that served soup dumplings! alas, alas, my excitement was soon abated, as the dumplings arrived, with slightly too thick skins, and pork meat that was a little too fatty. i would have given it more stars, but the meal got worse. noodle soup? go to nan zhou instead. their dessert soup with tang yuan was pretty much inedible. if i must waste my calories in eating chinese food with way processed white flour carbohydrates... it better be good. the only highlight? the scallion pancakes. but i've had ones that tasted just as good coming out of a frozen box.
(1)
Julie F.
As others have stated, this place doesn't replace Lakeside Deli (tears), but it is delicious in its own special, meat-filled way. My friends and I ordered a couple of dishes and shared them - trying to replicate that dim sum feeling. Traditional pan-fried pork dumplings were perfectly cooked, with nicely flavored juicy pork bursting out. The plain sounding cucumbers were marinated in something mysterious and delicious! Get them (you'll also feel ordering a vegetable will negate all the other unhealthy greasy doughy stuff). The scallion pancakes were more-or-less what you're used to but a bit more fresh tasting and not too mealy or doughy like some I've had. Grease City though. There were some kind of sticky rice shumai we ordered which were okay, not my favorite though. My favorite, not shockingly, were the soup dumplings. I like any food that requires thought. How do I get the soup out of the dumpling? How do I not burn my tongue with scalding broth? How the heck do they get the liquid in the dumpling, anyway? The broth was so tasty! You bite a little hole in the dumpling and then slurp out the broth. Yeah, you might not want to come here on a date - it's not a cute look. Delicioso. Best part - four people stuffed their pieholes for a grand total of 23 bucks. How the heck can you beat that?
(4)
Shirley Y.
My favorite here are the shanghai steamed dumplings (soup dumplings). Only place in Philly that I know has these and they are so heavenly and juicy and go well with a little chilli sauce and vinegar (ginger) sauce. The noodle soups and fried dishes are decent. There are a lot of dishes and specials that aren't on the menu that are pretty good. My mandarin speaking friend was able to order us some good authentic chinese dishes, several that suprisingly for me I have never tried before. I've been here several times and always found the service to be good. All the ladies are nice.
(4)
M M.
Today was my first time here based on Yelp's search and reviews. The scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious, best served with the dumpling sauce (for me) The Shanghai soup dumplings were also great, but watch out for the hot soup inside! I wasn't a big fan of their Wonton Ho fun soup and their triple steamed dumplings. Next time i come here, i think im going to order all appetizers.... and many orders of scallion pancakes and soup dumplings YUM
(3)
Kin L.
Even though the food is good, one thing that this place needs to learn is to not rush customers when they are eating. Even though it was towards the end of the night, it's no excuse to do so. I understand the notion of getting ready to close up shop, but closing time wasn't even close. We had two xiao long bao pieces left in the container and the waitress, who had the most expressionless face, came over and lifted it up and asked if we were finished. We said no. She left and came back 5 minutes later and did the same thing, we said no again. So then she asked with one hand on the dumpling sauce dispenser, "Oh, can I take the sauces away first?" Seriously, how DARE she try to take away the dumpling sauces before we finished the dumplings?!? It was just plain rude! Someone needs to tell that girl that tips are earned! It's stuff like that that turns an otherwise good dining experience into a mediocre one. Don't ever touch a man's sauce until the food's gone!
(3)
Herbie H.
It was my first Dim Sum experience, so I had no idea what to expect. For a Saturday at lunch time, it was extremely busy and crowded. Pros: -The food was delicious (we had three different types of dumplings.. I forget which ones.) Very tasty and flavorful. Both of the sauces were tasty as well. -CHEAP! I paid $17 (with tip) for three orders of dumplings/juicy buns and waters for two people. -One of the servers could tell both myself and my friend were new to Dim Sum and instructed us how to eat it (through very broken English). It was a sweet gesture. Cons: -Service was... bizarre. Our waitress came about 30 seconds after sitting down and asked for our order. She convinced us to get one of the dumplings and understood we needed more time to look over the menu to order something more. The dumplings came out quickly and we finished them. Then another waitress handed us our bill.... I guess she assumed we were finished. -Everything was very rushed and hurried. I can't tell if it's because the restaurant does a lot of take-out business, because it was busy, or if it was always very impersonal. -I think I was expecting something a little "classier" or more of what I envisioned to be a typical Dim Sum experience (with the cart, etc.) The food was really good, but the service/atmosphere kind of made the experience only iffy.
(3)
Sophia S.
Since my first visit, I have been back to DSG many times, and it has yet to disappoint. I just wanted to share a few of my menu favorites: -chili cabbage pork noodles, dry (the noodles are house made and the sauce is tangy and savory). The noodles with brisket are also good and have a little bok choy in them. -obviously both pan fried and steamed pork juicy buns. The pan fried ones are huge. The steamed are the soup dumplings where you slurp the broth out. I don't think I've been a single time without ordering these two. -sauteed chinese broccoli with fresh garlic. this is inexpensive and shockingly flavorful. a great way to get some greens. -Moon cake. Its a savory appetizer meat pie thingy. yum. get it. -scallion pancake. Normally at chinese restaurants I scoff at scallion pancake and think its just deep fried bread...but this is different. its flaky and light, and yes fried, but just so good.
(5)
Di P.
JUICY BUNS. Everybody writes about it and they're right, man. Those soup dumplings turn me on. First of all, it's just amazing that they hold liquid. Thankfully I have above average chopstick skills and I managed to not stab a hole in those slippery and heavy suckers. Secondly, I love how you're so torn between gulping them down right away versus letting them cool. So I basically went for it and had an explosion of hot liquid in my mouth even though my friend kept emoting, "dooon't do it. doooon't do it!!" I didn't care. The pork ball in the middle made it worth it. And the look on my friend's face as soup spilled out of my mouth. I honestly can't remember anything else I ate because the juicy buns was nothing like I ever experienced before. PS don't go to this place for the ambiance. It's placed in one of the shadiest parts of Chinatown and the people who come here feel so transient-- like they accidentally stopped in while waiting for the Chinatown Bus to come. But I like how Dim Sum Garden doesn't try to make themselves fancy. They just embrace it, and provide semi-fast cheap food. But no quarters. Go somewhere for change for the meters or buy a soda.
(4)
Mary L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers who reviewed and raved about this place! I finally found a dimsum place to go to when I'm in Philly. I ordered soup dumplings during lunch break while I was in the city and it was worth every penny. I've been to Jo Shanghai in NYC and have sampled their dumplings. I'm amazed and surprised to admit - Dimsum Garden's soup dumplings are on par if not EVEN BETTER than theirs! I'll be back here to try out their other offerings!
(5)
Ted K.
Amazing soup dumplings. Not much ambience but clean enough (clean bathroom) and waitstaff was friendly. Stick to the Shanghainese dishes though (soup dumplings, smoked fish, shanghainese siu mai - has rice in the filling, different in a good way- and the noodle dishes, espcially the pork with sauce noodle). The regular dumplings were not so good.
(4)
Heifer L.
The very first time yelp has disappointed me... I hate to have to make this review but the other reviews are completely misleading. First off, their dumplings were the worst dumplings I ever had. The frozen ones from Costco are 10 times better than theirs. Their appearance speaks volume on their quality of food but I ignored it because of the 4 stars it had on here compared to the other dim sum places yelp listed. The only thing they had going for them was their prices, super cheap but I wonder why?! I left there still hungry because I couldn't eat anymore. My daughter was even feeling sick to her stomach. I do not recommend this place. Its not the usual dim sum where they roll carts to each table. You have to pick and chose from a menu which seemed to only really have an assortment of dumplings. Services was poor and ridiculous. Our server showed no patience whatsoever. We ended up giving our 3 bag full of leftovers to some homeless people.
(1)
Siv L.
Stopped in while in Phila for some dim sum here. Yummy soup dumplings. Loved the shumai which was different than I've ever had elsewhere. We also tried a few other things but those two were the most memorable. Would recommend (however parking nearby is hard to find so we ended up parking in a lot that was almost as expensive as our dim sum!)!
(4)
Dung H.
The rating is for the soup dumplings. Really delicious! esp when it's still hot so eat it before it cools down, without buring your mouth though. It's a perfect soup to meat filling ratio. Plus, its fun to eat! I'm really glad that its close to where I live in Philadelphia. I'm not sure where to even find this back in in Maryland.. or DC. PLUS, as in most of my reviews.. I have to mention the price (I'm on a budget, remember??) It's super cheap! 8 dumplings for like 6 bucks I think. YAY! Pretty filling too... enough to share. So good, my best friend and I came back two days in a row for these things. The name of the place is a little misleading, I think. Sure they have dim sum items on their menu but its not served dim sum style with the carts and all of that. Not what I expected when I got here: small restaurant with a few table and chairs, a carry out style place. Sanitation is typical of the Chinatown area... can't really expect more with the prices... COME for the soup dumplings!! It will definitely be worth the trip!
(4)
Angela E.
My lunch-buddy and I are always on the prowl for cheap eats and were happy to discover Dim Sum Garden's soup dumplings. Not only are they cheap, but for a little over $5, you get eight dumplings filled with delicious broth. I'm not saying it's fat free because once the broth began to cool, you could indeed see the congealed grease, but that's common with soups and/or gravies, right? Hey- I don't complain! I walk away with a belly full of delicious hot pork, broth and spare change. You'll also get hot tea and in and out in record time! I've tried other dumplings, too, and have been pleasantly surprised, but I keep coming back for the "juicy" dumplings. Warning: Poke a hole in the top and let them cool before shoveling the entire thing in your mouth- don't be dainty, eat it whole or you're wasting your time!
(3)
tony c.
Their Shao Long Bao is pretty good. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT let it get semi cold. It greases up very fast. The liquid is a rich pork broth with some spring onion taste. Couple this with vinegar and finely sliced ginger, it's the perfect combination for a late afternoon snack. Some folks get a 2:30pm black coffee, when in the philly chinatown area, I get a quick shao long bao order. Their onion pancake was again alittle greasy. I used some napkin to suck up the BP spill, and it was pretty crunchy and flaky. However, i would discourage in getting the Pan-fried pork bun. It had way too much grease and the breading was just too chewy. It wasn't thick (which is a typical problem) but the breading was just too chewy. Like I said, in the mood, Dim Sum Garden is perfect for a greasy spoon spot! -2 stars for the oil and bouncy pan fried pork bun.
(3)
Larry L.
Ever since I went to Joe's Shanghai in manhattan years ago I've been looking for a place in philly that served soup dumplings/ juicy buns/shanghai buns whatever you want to call them. My search has ended. Pork and crab juicy buns are excellent. The marinated pork is also very good too. I just wish they had more buns to choose from. Thanks so much to the Philly yelpers for helping me find this place!!
(4)
Jerry W.
Absolutely amazing. Their dim sum and noodle soup (Udon) are to die for and cost next to nothing.
(5)
Thomas G.
Original in name only. After many satisfying visits to this restaurant three of us agreed last night's meal was the worst we'd had, not only here but in a Chinese restaurant generally. The signature shanghai soup dumplings were tepid and lacked flavor. An order of steamed dumplings with pork and chives was inedibly gummy. None of us had ever had worse dumplings...anywhere!! The chicken on a stick was overcooked to the point of turning into wearable moccasins. We will never go back.
(1)
Ben W.
Definition of a hole-in-the-wall. I remember walking by this place freshman year, wary of the dingy bus station next door and the sketchy neon signs in the window. Looking back, I was dumb. This place is by far one of my favorite dim sum places in Philly, if not the US. First off, the restaurant itself isn't the best-looking, but don't let that stop you from ordering some of the most delicious steamed and fried goodies. It's not your traditional dim sum place because there are no carts and you order strictly off a menu. The selection is huge and one thing I love about this place is that everything is fresh. You can take a peek at the kitchen and just watch them wrap and seal all the different types of dumplings they offer. My favorite item is the soup dumplings. I could literally eat these things every day. The skin is cooked just perfectly, silky soft and delicate enough to break just from sucking on it. The meat is so tasty and the soup is the best part. If you've never had soup dumplings before, ask your server how to eat them because it can get tricky. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu and I would suggest bringing a huge crowd of friends so that you can sample almost everything on the menu. I honestly don't know what more to say about this place except GO GO GO!
(5)
Mallory D.
I equate dim sum to the Chinese version of bar food. All the little delicious picky stuff without having to mess around with noodles & rice & whatnot (although that is certainly an option here!). I loved my first experience here and have been daydreaming about going back. With such an expansive menu, the possibilities are endless! Everything my sister & I got here was delicious. I am not as huge a fan a the little soup sack dumplings as I am pan fried, but they were deliciousnonetheless...despite the fact that I burnt off a layer of skin on the roof of my mouth. Oh well, I know better for next time! Even the non-dim sum itens were delicious. I especially liked the won ton soup, chicken on a stick, and the very tasty scallion pancakes. Dim Sum Garden is by no means a classy joint. In fact it is a little terrifying. But totally worth it. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jiawei H.
I tried all dimsum place in central city ，only one place i'm very like ，is original dimsum garden on 59 N 11th street ，the soup dumpling.scallion pancake .handmake noodle.....much better than everywhereï¼i'll come back soon with more friendï¼
(5)
Sarah K.
I'm just going to say that the ambiance and service was what made me rate this 2 stars. The table was sticky and the service was a little rude. I also had the roast duck over rice, which was mediocre. It was incredibly bony, and the greens on the side had no business being on a rice dish. Banana peppers?? BUT the Shanghai Pork Dumplings were awesome. I'd probably only come back for these only.
(2)
Ray L.
I can't say that I get what the hype is about, except that this place is fairly cheap. Their soup dumplings here are well flavored but fatty, but if I come here that's definitely what I end up getting. Their scallion pancakes are pretty good so I would definitely recommend those. Brace yourself as this is not the most comfortable dining experience (even by chinatown standards). But it's a hole in the wall and you know that going in, right?
(3)
Erica M.
How did I not discover this place when I lived a block away???? What a find. The dumplings and noodles are fantastic. We had pork sauce noodles, pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, steamed chicken dumplings, steamed shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes, and soup dumplings. Everything was awesome. Highlights were the pork sauce noodles, pork and chive dumplings, and the soup dumplings (though don't order those if you're souper hungry - pun intended - because they take a while to cool off so you don't scorch your mouth). Awesome place...can't wait to go back!
(5)
Brian M.
All of what you expect from this type of joint. Quick, cheap, kinda dirty, staff who speak broken English, wide menu selection, etc. Not that these are bad things, but Dim Sum Garden doesn't really stand out for me in any way worth reporting. It's straightforward and safe. I've been here a couple times now, and actually prefer the pan-fried dumplings over the more renowned steamed "soup dumplings" which the staff here has pushed on me each time I've visited. Nothing special really and kind of a pain to eat. If this is your idea of "fun" then, well...good for you. Also their chopsticks suck. They seem...greasy. Hard to handle.
(3)
Angie K.
XIAO LONG BAO! Yes, you may be harassed by random people in front of the store. Yes, there are tacky neon lights in the front. Yes, the inside decor is not much better. But who cares? The food and prices are great! I really haven't had too much trouble with the service; it is just typical of any Chinatown restaurant. They actually remember me, which can get slightly awkward/amusing when you go with acquaintances. Get the xiao long bao (soup dumplings), the Shanghai siu mai (sticky rice and minced pork dumpling), scallion pancake, ja jiang mien (minced pork in black bean noodle sauce). They also have a beef noodle soup that is great as well. No really, ignore the tacky decor and go for the dumplings.
(4)
Ali B.
Maybe it was the super duper rush. Maybe it was the fact that they forgot our order of xiao long bao. Maybe it was the fact that by "crab" topped they meant the smallest drop of crabmeat per dumpling. Maybe it was the fact that the xiao long bao tasted like egg drop soup to me. Can find a better steal more deep in chinatown. Prices elevated likely secondary to proximity to chinatown bus depot. Wouldn't necc rush to go to again.
(2)
Kathy I.
My first experience with soup dumplings was here and it was really good! I actually like the fried dumplings better but in general they were both good. Plus it was really cheap. The soup dumplings were a bit too salty but still enjoyable!
(4)
Lisa Y.
The best soup dumplings in Philly! The soup is plentiful and hot! I eat them with hot chili oil and ginger soy sauce. I only come here for the dumplings, the rest of the food is just eh.
(4)
Joyce W.
I would have to say that this place is good for where it is at. Philadelphia isnt really known for their asian population so for the quality of shanghai soupy dumplings... its great. Dont get me wrong, its not bad... the skin is thin but i have had thinner and yummy juices. I just recently tried another place in NY for dumplings and that was DELICIOUS!!!! I will definitly go back to this place and try others dishes... looking forward to try their noodles.
(4)
Natalie H.
When taking the bus to NYC, I always came by this place and wanted to try it. I am a gigantic dumpling fan, they may be my favorite food, anyways, I stopped in here on my way home to pick up some dumplings to go. I ordered the pork "soup" dumplings. Wow, they were good. Although I only had one dish, it was five stars! I would absolutely go back and try every other kind of dumpling.
(5)
Paul B.
Xlb had really good skins. Broth was decent but the dipping sauce was lacking. Personally if I am eating soup dumplings then I want the vinegar sauce with ginger to cut the super savory xlb broth. The dipping sauce was in this little pourer instead of a dish and ginger was no where to be found. I'll be the first to admit that I had no idea how to use that pourer without spilling everywhere. Regardless pork xlb were 8 for $5.25, and to be clear: I'm not completely insane. There is no way I'm going to give a bad review to delicious soup dumplings at that price. To top it off Dim Sum Garden is so much easier to get to in Philly than it is for me to make it out to flushing from my manhattan apt.
(4)
Bianca L.
OK so I admit that all we ordered here was one order of xiao long bao (Shanghainese soup dumplings with crab and pork) but they were delicious. The skin was the perfect thickness - very, very thin and the dumplings were clearly handmade. It's not at all a traditional dim sum restaurant - for one thing, dim sum is generally Cantonese-style Chinese tapas-like lunch, whereas Dim Sum Garden offers food that is primarily Shanghainese in style. The noodle soups and other dishes also seem good - I'm looking forward to trying the smoked fish next time. It's in an odd location, and I admit that the pictures of the food above the counter and the decor threw me off a bit, but the food is worth returning for. I'll update after I try more than just the soup dumplings but those were so good it was worth reviewing just on that basis. ** Update: we returned here and ordered more dumplings and other tasty dishes. The noodles in the beef brisket soup were great - handmade and nicely chewy but the broth itself was a little flavorless and too salty. However, everything else we ordered was terrific - the dumplings had nice, thick skins with juicy fillings and the green onion pancake was top-notch. And again, this time both orders of Shanghainese soup dumplings were spot-on - served piping hot, they were juicy and wonderful. Next time, I'm trying the smoked fish (another Shanghainese specialty).
(4)
Abe L.
Best xiao long bao in the mid-atlantic area by far. Blows away Joe's shanghai. Almost as good as din tai fung in Taipei. Decor is what you'd expect of a restaurant next to the bus depot.
(4)
Thao H.
On par for Chinese food.
(3)
Micaela F.
Kinda in a sketchy area but when you try their delicious varieties of dumplings you will forget where you are. Came the first time with a friend after we read Craig Le Ban's review. He did not go wrong with this one. The soup dumplings are delicious and the Siu Mai is a bit different but love it.
(5)
Erin H.
Probably the most solicitous service I have had in a Chinese restaurant in a long time. Not your typical Dim Sum experience but my lunch was beyond delicious! The duck was amazingly tender and fatty and the soft, wide noodles were amazing. The crab dumplings were tasty, steaming hot little delights. What cannot be beat was the price! 3 of us ate for $21 - worth every penny - a great lunch place - particularly during a grueling conference :).
(3)
Kermit T.
So I don't give away stars easily, but this place earns a 4.5. I feel like I've never eaten good dim sum before. Every dish we ordered (and there were 7 of us sharing all kinds) was excellent. Soup dumplings are a must, steamed and pan fried dumplings are sensational alike. Also try the sweet potato
(4)
Pete M.
What great dumplings and noodles! Shanghai soup dumplings and handmade noodle with pork are best I have had! Very affordable pricing and good service will definitely be coming back
(5)
Jon E.
Soup dumplings (pork), scallion pancake, brisket noodle, and a side of bak choy. Fantastic meal, quick service, cheap ass hell, and consistent quality. I never deviate from this lineup but wouldn't be surprised if everything on their menu is delicious. Much respect to Dim Sum Garden.
(5)
Cort M.
Service was excellent. Dumplings with soup inside? Try them...you will love them. We also had shrimp dim sum and scallion pancakes. We each had a bowl of soup, one beef and one chicken. We were stuffed and couldn't finish all the soup. The broth was just right. Didn't need to add a thing. Added the ginger sauce to the scallion pancakes and then went from excellent to brilliant. We will definitely eat here again if we return to Philly.
(5)
Shane L.
Comfort food. Nuff said! This place looks like a dump, but the food that comes out of this kitchen can make anyone happy. Everything I've tasted here was plentiful in flavor. I recommend trying the soup dumplings since thats what everyone hypes about (they are good, not great). Rice dishes are OK, but I'd save room for their large soup noodles bowls. This is definitely a spot where you can come for a quick casual bite and then bounce with a nice warm/full belly. FYI....an added plus, this is a BYOB joint.
(3)
Michelle C.
Keeping it short: -If you're craving soup dumplings, Dim Sum Garden is worth a try. The skin is thin, the soup isn't thick and heavy so you don't feel like you're drinking ounces of gelatinized pork fat (even tho you are). -Scallion pancake is tasty here. -Noodle dishes... if you like your noodles soggy and gummy (translation: gross). -Pan fried pork... not reminiscent of anything fried or pork unless you count the oil. -smoked fish is a cold dish drenched in soy sauce and sugar. - The owners/waitress' were really nice and tried to be helpful. - If you're in need of watching bad chinese variety shows. This is the place!! -Looked around and seemed like fried/boiled dumplings were a huge hit there... I'll defiantly go back but just for the soup dumplings, the other dishes do not look appetizing. Try them at your own risk!
(3)
Elisabeth Y.
My husband and I came here on our way back from the Winter Beer Fest at Union Transfer. He had some chicken and pork dumplings, which he said were good. We split the pumpkin dumplings (sweet, but good with the sauce) and scallion pancakes (a little too greasy). I had the steamed vegetable bun and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food is good, the service is really quick, and it's cheap. Can't really go wrong.
(4)
John S.
Has the best dumplings I ever had.. Get Pork Soup dumplings and scallion pancakes. They even have chicken feet! As far as the service, they only have about 6 dumpling steamers, so you might have to wait a little for your steamed pork juicy buns, but its worth it. they have the best dumpling ginger sauce and chile oil. gotta go here, its almost better that the reading terminal market next door!
(5)
Mike D.
Some of the best dim sum I've had. All the dumplings are superb. The fried tofu over rice is magic.
(5)
Caleb L.
This was the first Chinese restaurant that I tried on my trip to Philadelphia. The area is pretty sketchy, but the food is great. We tried both soup dumplings(steamed and fried) and the scallion pancake. The steamed dumpling great. They were filled with tons of tasty soup and the meat is great. The scallion pancakes were good as well. The thing I was most excited for; however, were the fried soup dumplings. Unfortunately the idea of them being friend and soups filled don't work out too well together. Because they they're fried, the thicker dough ended up soaking up all of the liquid. This place is tasty and cheap($14.10). The only down side is that they made us buy a soda in order to use our card. They have a $15.00 minimum.
(4)
Debra C.
I was highly skeptical of this place when my friends chose it. For starters, the restaurant location is a tad sketchy - situated under a darkly lit overpass of sorts - and the interior... the owners didn't even try. But the food... oh the food! Dim Sum Garden isn't really a dim sum garden. It's more like a Shanghai dumpling house. A frickin' good one at that! A total surprise. The juicy pork soup dumplings were excellent (our group of five downed three servings!), the shumai were strange in a the best of ways (stuffed with more sticky rice than pork, but super delicious), the scallion pancakes were perfectly crispy, and the all house sauces (the dumpling sauce, ginger sauce, and hot sauce) were PERFECTION. All this said, never judge a book by its cover! The decor here may be shitty, but the food is frickin' lovely.
(4)
Heesun K.
Had Pork Soup Dumplings Scallion Pancakes & Beef Brisket Noodle Soup. Unlike the other time I went, the dumplings had alot of soup in them. awesome! the noodle soup was less salty than the last time and had lots of braised beef in it. Overall, very satifying meal.
(4)
Trang N.
SUUUUPER yummy pork "juice" dumplings, aka soup dumplings! If you don't know what they are, you need to come here and try it. Worth the trip to Philly...!! Con: typical of Chinatown restaurants, they're not too clean with the way they serve you your drinks/food.
(4)
Steve L.
This place looks shady, super shady. I told myself location would never be the reason for a bad review. Once inside, the lights are bright white and had that scary movie feel to it. Onto the food. We kept it simple and just wanted to try the "famous" soup dumplings that people have been raving about. We also ordered the pan fried version as well. The pan fried soup dumplings came out first. Definitely not my favorite of the two, since this version was a bit drier (no soup! duh) and the dough was thicker than what I would have liked. The regular ones came out and looked delicious. It had a thinner skin and plenty of soup inside. Carefully bite into these things because burning your lips is inevitable. Flavorwise it wasn't anything mind blowing. Just your simple pork filling and some good stock inside.
(3)
Art C.
Was gonna go to Rangoon for lunch today. Glad I decided to do that some other time. Lunch at DSG was awesome. My friend and I had: Cabbage & Chili Soup- excellent (only $1.50!) Seaweed salad- very nice Pork soup dumplings- to die for Fried Veg Dumplings- exquisite, tiny diced tofu, chives & other veg, way better than typical veg dumplings Cold cucumber- very nice, I wonder if the the cukes are slightly fermented, definitely more going on than typical Chinese cold cucumber salad Another order of pork soup dumplings, we couldn't resist. We left stuffed and happy, the bill was only $26.95! YUM!
(5)
Tu-van L.
Solid option for xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Located at the underpass not far away from Reading Terminal Market, this small restaurant looks more like your take-out Chinese place. Nevertheless the menu has what you need. They told us they had three types of soup dumplings but the pan-fried one didn't taste like what you expect it to be like (the others were delicious though). Great option for comfort Chinese on a cold day.
(4)
Travis L.
A little surprise near the Chinatown area. Hole in the wall place (under a tunnel of all places!) managed often by a single server (yeah, service can be a little... curt and inconsistent) Really quality soup dumplings and fried dumplings for a great price. For canto folks like myself, it's definitely shanghai-style dim sum (the siu mai is stuffed with glutinous rice as I discovered). Really like their noodle dishes, as well, especially the pork with sauce one. They definitely have the hand-drawn, homemade texture to them and for that price, I am absolutely not complaining.
(4)
Peter G.
Great, tasty, inexpensive, and authentic dim sum. The interior is nothing special at all, but maybe that's become part of its appeal. It isn't trying to focus on fancy service, just delicious dishes (and, admittedly, quick service).
(4)
Kit K.
The best juicy dumplings in the city!!! Should to try cold marinated cucumbers. I couldn't say the cafe's exterior and interior absorb all your attention, but that worth to try everything here. :)
(5)
Shivon R.
Came here with a friend who had just moved into the Chinatown area. We were craving some Dim Sum, and this place seemed to have garnered a lot of attention. I had been warned by other reviewers that the place was located in a somewhat sketchy spot, and boy were they right. I felt I was entering a troll's lair as I came up to the restaurant. Fortunately, the food more than makes up for the lack of decor. My friend and I split an order of the famous xian long bao (soup dumplings), fried vegetable dumplings, and scallion pancakes. It was my first time trying soup dumplings, and, I won't lie, it was kind of a hot mess. I tried daintily poking at the top with chopsticks and sucking out the soup, but that was just not doing it for me. Next I tried placing the dumpling on the spoon, taking a big chomp out of it, and then sipping the soup dribble out of the spoon. Either way, I still ended up squirting soup everywhere. It was definitely worth the trouble though. So tasty! The vegetable dumplings were so-so, nothing to write home about. The scallion pancakes were nicely flavored, but a little bit on the oily side for me. I also ended up ordering a glass of their homemade iced tea (I could actually see them making it in the kitchen), and I will say that was probably the best iced tea I've ever had. Super refreshing without being too sweet.
(4)
Tanon T.
The soup dumplings are pretty and fair for the price. It's really busy here so you should get here quick.
(4)
Sonal T.
Excellent food quality. I just feel they should work on the ambiance.
(3)
Stefanie A.
I crave Dim Sum Garden soup dumplings weekly. And I eat them weekly. I've had a few other things (bok choy, spicy noodles with pork, weird mushroom shumai) but I always come here for dumplings and am never disappointed with them. It's a dive under the convention center, so the location and ambiance is severely lacking, but who cares when you can get tender, juicy, pork dumplings filled with perfectly-seasoned soup for $6? It's a fun place to go with friends, bring some wine, and chow for cheap. or take 'em home--they heat up great. My bf's a fan of the pork and crabmeat ones, so get one or get them both. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Tanti L.
Service is not great, but what do you expect? its chinatown, under the scary tunnel looking place, and its damn cheap. Their xiao long bao overrides every negative things about this place. you come there to eat and bail. u'll then find ur zen.
(5)
Matt J.
We wanted to eat in Chinatown for lunch and this place had some good reviews and we always love good Dim Sum. And we were happy overall with this choice. It is a small (somewhat run down) place. But the server was happy to help and give us some recommendations and explain a few things where we needed some help. The soup dumplings were very good and well liked around the table. Can't remember what all we got but was a table full and all were pretty good.
(3)
Jeff H.
Read about this place in the news awhile back when they only had one gas burner or something like that. I finally got around to trying it with a friend two weeks ago and I was not disappointed. We split an order of the Shanghai dumplings with pork and the pork and scallion pot stickers. It was enough to fill both of us up and we got out for about $10. Relatively simple menu but great prices and friendly service. There are a few different sauces at each table to dip in, a dumpling sauce, a chili sauce and a ginger sauce (if I'm remembering correctly). It's kind of hidden but I've taken the Chinatown bus so many times I don't know how I missed it, would've really come in handy for those times I would've liked a quick bite to eat before catching a ride to NYC. (It's near the Chinatown bus.)
(4)
Percy N.
This place has some awesome, authentic dishes made with love, especially the Xiao Long Bao, which is not only hard to find in the Philly area, but these are one of the best I have ever had. Not sure if it is the fumes from the buses outside the restaurant, but even pedestrian dishes like the fried rice tasted special. When I last visited, they were still waiting for their gas stove, so I can only imagine the dishes getting better....if that is possible. Super friendly and helpful service and super cheap. A bit hard to find and you can easily walk by. Look for the neon "Wings" sign.
(5)
Sarah P.
Awesome dumpling joint! We were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, conveniently across the the street from Dim Sum Garden, and were looking for a late light dinner before turning in without resorting to room service. I read the reviews on here for the soup dumplings and thought I'd try them, very happy I did! No, the place is not fancy or in a great location but the food is yummy. Husband was not too fond of the General Tso's chicken because he found some cartilage in it (he prefers it made with white meat) but I thought it was tasty. The scallion pancakes were yummy, loved the shrimp dumplings and yes, the soup dumplings were really good. Husband ordered one of the cantaloupe smoothies and it was a hit. Cheap too, we ate well for about $20.
(4)
Epic N.
when you go, order only the SOUP DUMPLINGS and if you need another dish, the scallion pancakes - they get 5 stars - the scallion pancakes were light and crispy but wish it had more scallion - but when ordering the dumplings... make sure to ask for finely JULIENNE FRESH GINGER and put that on top of the dumplings- it adds great flavor to the dish! I tried a lot of the other stuff and nothing was that great - I ordered the gizzard, the duck, pork something...
(4)
BJ M.
Fried pork soup dumpling is the best, and the pork pocket is also delicious. Good rendition of mapo tofu and pork with sauce noodles. Bok choy is also really good. Not as refined as some other dim sum gardens but really who cares. The taste is what counts.
(5)
Christine E.
It's cheap, and it's decent food for a cold, hungover-laden Saturday afternoon. Nothing was amazing, yet nothing was bad. If I could personally give 5 stars to the steamed beef dumplings, I would. I recommend checking this place out if you want an inexpensive, fast, and un-fussy Dim Sum experience.
(3)
Totally I.
I've been three times in the last month.It's got great Xiao Long Bao, shanghai soup dumplings (pork or crab). These are rarely found done well anywhere around here. The Chives & Pork dumplings are excellent and they use hand-pulled noodles. All that and the most expensive thing on the menu is $6.75! no joke... Not really a traditional dim sum restaurant but the dishes they do provide are superior to the 'traditional' Philly dim sum spots. I could eat there every day (edit: no, it turns out I can't eat there everyday... or shouldn't anyway) Poor Dawn R. doesn't know what's what with the soup dumpling. Try googling 'how to eat xiao lung bao' - as to Dave B.'s comment, to be clear it's not IN the bus terminal... it's across the little alley from the New Century 'Chinatown bus' office, and both are under the parking garage/hotel annex attached to the convention center that covers a number of streets in the area.
(4)
Ryan B.
The older couple at the table next to me said it best "the foods really good here and the hipsters haven't taken over yet". I came here with the sole intent of finding delicious soup dumplings in Philadelphia and boy oh boy did I find them. They were EVERY bit as good as the ones I'm used to in NYC. Glad I found this place on yelp and I'm glad it'll save me China Town Bus rides to NYC for my soup dumpling fix. Don't let this places location scare you away, like Aladdin it's a "diamond in the ruff"
(4)
Katie B.
Pork Juicy Buns are amazing! GO!
(5)
David M.
Went there on a Sunday around noon. We had their soup dumplings, pan fried soup dumplings, har gow, triple stream dumplings, and turnip cake. My favorite was their pan fried soup dumplings, simply amazing. The service was fast, the price was cheap, and the food was great, what more can you ask?
(5)
Patricia L.
For someone who's lived in Asia most of my life, this place def did not live up to its yelp reviews. The soup dumplings were juicy but were greasy and salty. You can definitely feel the MSG rolling off your tongue. Their pork and chive dumplings were decent but nothing to scream about. The scallion pancake is thin and crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside and comes with a decent tangy sauce. Overall, Good location and inexpensive. You can get 8 soup dumplings for 5.25. However if you want better, more authentic soup dumplings, head a few blocks down to Sakura Mandarin!
(2)
Brian K.
Fantastic! Certainly doesn't look like much from the outside, and the location is a little sketchy, but don't let that deter you -- the food is delicious! Everything here is hand made (e.g. noodles, dumplings, etc) and you can really taste the difference. Ordered the soup dumplings and they were great. Wonderful broth under and tender skin. Also ordered one of the noodle dishes, which was excellent. The homemade noodles are chewy and perfect. The only downside was the wonton soup -- my companion liked it but the broth was a little off to me. Also, the duck in the roast duck over rice was more bones than duck -- although the crispy skin was great. Overall, fabulous place, very cheap, great service, and amazing food.
(4)
Heather B.
To be honest, I'm (more than) a little baffled by the ratings for this place. Normally Yelp doesn't steer me wrong, but this time, I was sorely disappointed. My mother was in town for the Flower Show, and because she lives in an area where she can't get dim sum, we decided to come here. Maybe I've been spoiled by so many of the great restaurants in Chinatowns around the country, and perhaps I should admit that I can't stand Americanized Chinese food, but our meal here was pretty terrible. Everything we had - some sort of dumpling, scallion pancakes, and sauteed bok choy - was tremendously greasy. The bok choy came out drenched in a puddle of oil. I ended up with grease stains on my hoodie from whatever it was that came out of the dumpling. We had wanted shrimp dumplings, but they were out of them. My father is on a severely restricted diet, and this was my mother's chance to eat a good meal of food she can't have on his diet, and I feel guilty that, out of all of the fantastic places in Philly and in Philly's Chinatown, this was what she got. Womp womp.
(2)
Vince S.
Despite being in the diviest of dive locations, the food is tasty and priced fairly. Also, try not to pay attention to the name. I'm not even sure if they have actual dim sum dishes on their menu (haha), In fact, I think they might be more known for their dumplings. I'm no connoseiur of the soup dumplings, but I could not tell the difference between this place and Din Tai Fung (the one in LA). Decent condiments to accompany dumplings also. Plenty of choices ranging from American Chinese to more authentic dishes. Service is ok, but one of the servers is a little on the grumpy/surly side.
(4)
Nicole W.
For what it is, it's awesome! My husband and I are from out of town and love dim sum. We can't get it back home (in the sticks) so we always look for an authentic place when we travel. No need for fancy tables or ambience; we're all about the food. Bring on the dives and spare me the formalities! We spent $20 (not including tip), and were stuffed! Yes, $20 fed us both for dinner! It was so good but we were amazed we finished it all. They bring you ice water right away. The plastic tables and chairs were clean and comfortable. The AC was much appreciated during one of the four heat waves so far in Philly this year. The service was attentive but we're also not shy to ask for another fork or more water, for example. Our waiter made great recommendations too. Everyone was very pleasant. Shrimp dumplings- hubby ate those and liked them but didn't rave. Juicy pork buns- dumplings with pork and soup inside- their specialty and a must try! Pork noodles with sauce- fantastic and somehow tasted better with every bite. Chive pancake- wicked good too! A nice alternative texture to the rest of our meal. Not too greasy, great flavor. Another reviewer mentioned a situation where part of their group was served and eating before the others' food arrived or even ordered. I may have witnessed a similar situation at an adjacent table. Three of the four men were eating and seemed to be finishing up when the fourth man's food arrived. However, I was not a party to this group so I don't know the entire situation. Our experience was very enjoyable and we may even go back again for lunch before we leave despite all the wonderful dining options this city has to offer. They do accept credit cards but prefer cash.
(5)
J L.
I've been here dozens of times. It's one of those hole in the wall places. I was very weary of eating here the first time, but so glad I did! Because it's awesome. Best soup dumplings you can get in Philly. The staff are always great and it's inexpensive too!
(5)
Christine L.
After seeing a solid four stars for this place and having never tried it even though I'm always in Chinatown, we decided to give it a go. After giving it a try, I guess I realize once again why I've never bothered to come here. The place is right under the passageway going into Chinatown from 11th street, which is not in the usual vicinity of where we normally go for Chinatown. It is a bit dingy if I do say so myself, but I can also see how it may be "traditional" in terms of having an atmosphere similar to a small cafe/restaurant in China. We ordered the pork XLB, pan-fried pork dumplings, and a plate of pickled cabbage and pork noodles. The soup in the XLB wasn't bad. What needed improvement on was probably the quality of the skin, which was a bit sticky and doughy, and not as thin as it could be. We also wished that they would've given us small sauce dishes and ginger for dipping, because the bottles kept squirting in all the wrong directions (that's what she said). But for what the place is, I guess we couldn't ask for more. The pan-fried dumplings were your average, pan-fried dumplings, good but nothing special. The noodle plate was our least favorite. It was too salty for our liking, but tasted a lot better when we re-heated it the second time around at home. I wouldn't order that again though, if I ever do return here.
(2)
Lily T.
Their soup dumplings and scallion pancake aren't extraordinary. You can probably find better/comparable in NYC, but seeing as it's the only place I've found in Philadelphia that serves them, that in itself deserves five stars. Important tips to remember when you eat soup dumplings: 1. Wait a few mins for them to cool unless you want to burn your tongue; 2. Put the whole thing in your mouth so it won't squirt all over the place (that's what he said?) You will, of course, be avoiding all the mistakes that I made on my first trip there. Dim Sum Garden's potential to flourish as a restaurant is stifled by its unfortunate location. Within the hour that we were there for lunch, there are three unpleasant encounters. First, a homeless man came in to solicit change from each table. Next, another person (who presumably just got off a bus), against the will of the staff, entered to borrow their restroom without making a purchase, which caused a semi-obnoxious commotion. Then, a woman asked to sit at one of their tables to eat the food she bought from outside. I can't help but think that people just bully Dim Sum Garden because they know they can get away with it. Since Reading Terminal is around the corner, people could easily go there for all three aforementioned tasks (panhandling, use of restroom, a free place to sit), but they didn't. For their own sake, I hope Dim Sum Garden either relocates or hires a security officer.
(3)
Lily Z.
My 3rd time here and this place is always packed. Negatives: Cheap decor along with cheap tables and chairs. They have 1 server and no busser. My table wasn't properly cleaned this time. On top of that, I'm sharing my table with a party of 2. Theres not enough room on this table for all our food. If theres lots of people waiting, expect to wait outside. Positives: The food is good but I haven't ordered anything outside of the shanghai buns and siu mai. One of the best places for shanghai buns in Chinatown. Overall: -1 star for your cheap decor. -1 star for your service (hire another server or a busser, you have enough business to support him/her) -1 star for forcing me to share a table. Your food is good but to run a great restaurant, you need more than that. Also, they only accept CC for $20+
(2)
Carlo D.
I didn't like the food at all and felt sick afterwards and I love all Asian food so for me to give a single star it's true
(1)
Dave M.
With a large group of about 25 I tried everything. Just about everything they sent out was damned amazing. Extremely fresh. The waitresses were attentive to tea and keeping the meals coming. For about $16 a person we had what I would call an endless buffet of different things which is a great value. Try this place out for sure!
(5)
Adrienne C.
Good, solid Shanghai-nese food. I've been looking for somewhere like this ever since we moved to Philly - very happy. The goods: XLB (they are HUGE and super filled with fatty soupy goodness), pork and chive steamed dumplings (they taste "almost" as good as my mother-in-law's...so homey), shen jian bao (more flavorful than most that I've had) The oks: jia jia mien (noodles were good but sauce was kinda meh) and the onion pancake...it's uber thin/crispy, while we prefer ours more thick and flaky. Yeah, it looks like crap on the outside and it's in an underpass...but honestly, to me that is a sign of a good Asian restaurant. It's super cheap - for 6 dishes split between 4 people, the bill came out to $33.
(4)
Tammi T.
My colleague who's a local brought us here for the awesome xiao long bao. It's not a fancy place but really good and juicy xiao long bao at a reasonable price. Will definitely come here again the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Brandon D.
Saw the LINE COOK ACTIVELY VOMIT while working on the line. She didn't miss a beat: spat on the floor to clear her mouth, then got right back to cooking- no hand washing, sanitizer, bathroom breaks; nothing. I've lived and traveled in Southeast Asia for three years, ate peasant food in Nepal, and pride myself in eating at places run by cooks who practice questionable hygiene. This was entirely different. Pros: Price is okay; probably don't have to tip. Cons: Vomiting cook, flavor wasn't anything to write home a bout..
(1)
Julie C.
This place has amazing dumplings. You can not go wrong with their steamed soup pork dumplings. They are so juicy and delicious. The food comes out quick and it is always great. Also, the scallion pancakes are my favorite amongst all others that I have had in University City. I know what you're thinking...alright, what's so great about scallion pancakes? The ones at Dim Sum Garden are layered and are not thin, yet still deliver the flaky texture that is a necessity for scallion pancakes. The ambience in there isn't the best and its in desperate need of a revamp, but it doesn't seem to matter too much to me because the food is great.
(4)
Grace S.
So the owner of the truly original DSG contacted me and it appears this storefront was sold to a new owner last year who renamed the place "Original Dim Sum Garden" (which I admit is misleading). I'm migrating my review to the new storefront which is apparently located at 1020 Race Street.
(1)
Justin D.
First impressions were a little unnerving: the seating area consists of about 7-8 tables with an unusual fro-yo section in front of the counter. I ordered a bubble tea to start off and I have to say, not good. While I got a traditional milk bubble tea with pearls, I saw the man behind the counter putting the powdered base into the plastic container. The taste was similar: chalky and unappealing. So sad because milk bubble tea is one of my most favorite beverages and it is so easy to make. I ordered the sesame seed chicken for dinner. My friends gushed on the soup but the chicks was quite sweet. The rice tasted like minute rice, right out of the microwave. Not a bad experience. I was filled up and took respite from the cold. But it could be better.
(3)
Neal C.
I really wanted to love this place-- authentic Shanghainese food, really friendly owners, and very reasonable prices, but unfortunately I was not very impressed with the flavor of the pan-fried pork buns (sheng jian bao) or steamed pork buns (bao zi). The bao zi were actually frozen, which was very disappointing that they don't make it fresh, but the pan fried buns were made fresh (it took roughly fifteen minutes, which was fine with me). That being said, there wasn't too much pork or soup within to really stand out, so I ended up tasting more dough than anything else. The bottoms of the buns were very crisp like you'd want, but it was very oily as well. Maybe I should have just gone with the XLB, but it's so hard to find anyone who sells pan fried pork buns with soup, so I couldn't resist. It's worth the visit to chat with the owners and enjoy authentic shanghai cuisine, but I suppose you should try the XLB or other dim sum items.
(3)
Gina P.
My favorite Dim Sum place in Philly. Always recommend the soup pork dumplings! And you really can't beat the price!!!
(5)
Lisa B.
Went here for a late meal on Labor Day holiday. In summary: good was great, service was deplorable. The food was flavorful, quick to arrive and generous for the price paid. Between two hungry people we ordered the pork soup dumplings (large and plump, good but not outstanding broth), stewed chicken over rice (deliciously tender and juicy, served with baby bok choy), ma po tofu noodles in soup (very good) and Chinese broccoli cooked with garlic (standard, but good and fresh). However. The service. Rude and belligerent to the point where I actually thought the server was joking. Unfortunately not. We had difficulties asking about the types of noodles they had (apparently the fact that we didn't know the Chinese names for a flat rice noodles vs vermicelli rice noodles was something we had to decipher for ourselves instead of him just indicating which one we could get, this took maybe five minutes to negotiate with him). At the end of our meal we asked for the rest to take home, which they gladly complied with, however when we requested a second plastic fork they refused. I mean, what does a plastic fork cost you, a penny!?! I couldn't believe it. Anyway. All up our bill was around $32 including a tip the server didn't really deserve. This was for a huge meal with leftovers. Amazing value, shocking service. If you want a quick snack on the go then it's a good location. Just be prepared for service that's ambivalent at best, straight up rude at worst.
(2)
Dalisai N.
Plenty of selection for soups and other fare. The juicy buns are pretty good but I found I did not love them as much as other yelpers - probably because I prefer a lighter broth. Service was good to - this is the kind of place where you will be seated, served water and asked for your order within moments of walking through the door. Good place for a quick lunch if you're in the area and don't need a lot of ambiance/scenic location.
(3)
Danielle P.
I think that the food at Dim Sum Garden is exquisite. Every time I go there, I get the pan fried juicy buns and tofu curry soup for $10. Though the restaurant is located under a bridge, the food is still better than anything you'll get at a Chinese take-out place.
(4)
Nancy L.
3.5 stars. Decent XLB for Philly but if you've had them anywhere else, these are somewhat disappointing. There wasn't much soup inside and it was a little bland. I also like them with the slivers of julienned ginger this place didn't provide. The pan fried dumplings are cooked better and you can get them in a variety of fillings. The scalion pancakes were golden brown, crispy and tasted pretty good. Chicken and broccoli over rice is better at panda express. The chicken was oddly flavored. Seafood chow mein was better. It came with mussles, shrimp, fish cakes and the noodles were nicely soft, thick and chewy.
(3)
Vicky T.
I have actually already written a review for this place but unfortunately Yelp Team took it off because they (or someone) found it offensive even though I was greatly humiliated by the people working in this restaurant. I probably did use some bad words when I was very mad about my experience. I apologize for that. But I'm going to write this review to speak up about my bad experience there again. This time I'll be as courteous as possible. So the first thing I did when my friend and I entered the restaurant was to go use the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom, a guy working there just kept banging on the door and yelling at me. I was very certain that he wasn't a customer because I saw him working behind the counter. And I was very certain I was not in anyone's way because I didn't see anyone else waiting to use the bathroom. I was already feeling very humiliated at that point. After I left the bathroom, I walked over to my friend and saw that she was very upset. Apparently while she was waiting for me, the lady working there kept asking her to order food. My friend didn't know about Chinese food as well as I do so she actually didn't know what to order. But that lady just kept pressuring her. She also overheard the people working there bad mouthing me and complaining that I was taking too much time in the bathroom. First of all, there was no one else waiting for the bathroom. Second of all, I was seriously not taking that long. And it's natural for girls to take longer time than guys. They were speaking in Chinese. But my friend is Chinese-American so she does understand a lot of Chinese. I was going to order some Shanghai Pork buns from them before I stepped in the restaurant because Shanghai Pork buns have always been one of my favorite food. But both my friend and I were very upset about what happened so we decided to leave. The lady saw us and screamed at us "are you just going to leave?! Seriously?! You're not going to order anything?!". She was acting all mean and rude so we were basically forced to order some pork buns to go. Then I heard her saying to her coworker in Chinese "these girls are so shameless!". Apparently she didn't know that we both knew Chinese. I was very very mad at her! I confronted her afterward. She immediately changed her attitude and started to suck up to us after she realized we understood everything she said. But this feeling of humiliation and anger I got from them stayed strong in my mind. Their pork buns are pretty good I admit. But their customer services are too terrible. It's more than terrible. I have never been humiliated by restaurants workers before this. And I didn't do anything wrong! They simply do not have any idea what customer service is! Even though it is their job to serve! Some of you might argue for them that it was just a misunderstanding. They did it because they thought I was just there to use their bathroom. But they didn't have to keep banging on the bathroom door while I was in it and yell at us. And they shouldn't have said all those rude things about us behind our back. Most importantly, as their customers we should have the rights to decide whether we want their food or not! Not being forced into ordering from them. Apparently to these people all that matters is making money. They don't have the slightest respect for their customers! I don't care that their pork buns are pretty good anymore. I will never go back there again!
(1)
Sylvia C.
I don't know what drew me to the place. I had not read it's review on yelp. I just walked in out of the blue. Must have been the neon lights at the entrance that hypnotized me because anyone who didn't know anything about this place would never walk in. Yes, the decor is that cheesy. For those of you who know what I am talking about, it looks like one of those Chinese-run places that serve fried chicken and donuts. I wasn't particular about what to order so I just got whatever the waitress recommended. Crab xiao long bao, zha jiang noodles, and marinated cold cucumber. I was quite surprised that there was authentic shanghainese cuisine on the menu. Off to a good start. The crab xiao long bao is really juicy /brothy. 5 stars. The skin was perfect. Thin enough to not be doughy but strong enough to not break and hold all the broth. It's also a great deal at $5.75 for 8. It was way better than Shanghsi Joe's in NYC. Now the bad. The zha jiang mein tasted like crap, not how it is suppose to taste. Zha Jiang is made from black bean sauce and sweet dark sauce. This tasted like Chinese 5 spice version of spaghetti bolognese. The marinated cucumber was not what I had expected but it was decently good. It seemed more like a stir fry dish. In summary, worth a try. Don't let the bus alley scare you away. I am headed there again tomorrow to try the onion scallion pancake. Update. The scallion pancake is thin, crispy, and greasy. Good, but I will probably die from a heart attack if I eat too much of it. The scallion flavor is fragrant and I can taste it. I would give a B+.
(4)
Joe B.
Vicky: You're too whiney. We're not here to hear about your awkward encounters. All we care about is the food. Sometimes, it's all perception. Maybe the owners there perceived you as snotnoses just there to use the bathroom. Deal with it like an adult instead of sounding like a whiney crybaby. While I've had a few bum steers there (why it only got a 3 star from me), they do some things very well. The pork juicy bun is superb. I've always found the people there, who appear to be largely family members, to be friendly and helpful. Most others that have gone there have liked it, which diminishes Vicky's credibility. Maybe the problem is just Vicky.
(3)
Vivian L.
Always pass by this place because of the down store front. But one day decided to try this place after reading the reviews from yelp. The Xiao Long Bao is a must try, juicy and super hot. The service is always fast. Downside: ask for the sweet sticky rice and sweet glutinous rice dumpling in sweet rice wine , the server said both take too long to make, seweed salad: sold out. Come back another day, and server says the same thing again. If they can't make those dishes please don't list on the menu. Overall, ordering their dumplings and other prepared fast cooked food gives you less trouble to deal with the servers.
(4)
Alan L.
Don't judge the place by what it looks like, the food here is very tasty! Also it's a sit down restaurant i.e. you don't pick your dishes off of carts. The xiao long bao are delicious and very soupy!
(5)
April D.
I think that this place is a little overhyped. But there doesn't seem to be many dim sum places in Philadelphia, so I will give them credit for that. This place does have pretty good soup dumplings. But the har gow and the siu mai were not to my liking. The shrimps in the har gow were tiny, not plump and juicy, like I'm use to. It was like there was one or two tiny shrimps in a har gow wrapper that fell apart so fast because it wasn't crafted very well. I'm not use to having so much rice in a siu mai, so much that I hardly noticed the meat. To me siu mai has always been very juicy and meaty. And both items were just a little overpriced. But I'm from San Francisco, and dim sum is super cheap since there are so many dim sum spots in competition with each other. Despite all that I really like the sauces. They saved the day. The ginger sauce and the dumpling sauce are my favorite. They really fix up the taste of the har gow and the siu mai, or probably any other dumpling you aren't fond of. If I was ever in Philly again, I would mostly likely go there to buy any dim sum even if it was average tasting, and I would douse it in one of the sauces.
(3)
Roy C.
Great Dim Sum. Soup Buns are a must have, hot and tasty! Service was good, eager to please. Ignore the cafe style interior and just enjoy fine dim sum.
(4)
Jen H.
Most of the food here is on par if not sub par but the juicy buns are definitely worth getting. The service wavers depending on who you get as a server but it's not exactly a place of luxury so it really doesn't phase me when I get a crap waiter/waitress. Overall, it's a dingy place that serves pretty cheap, decent food. Go to try the juicy buns. Oh, and on a side note, I do also enjoy the tomato and egg over rice dish.
(3)
Jonathan P.
Finally made it around to trying the famous Dim Sum Garden, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Didn't get too crazy with the menu selection; general tso's chicken, pork and scallion steamed dumplings, and pork dim sum. It took them ten minutes to have everything ready for pickup....somehow every Chinese restaurant manage to cook any size order in fifteen minutes or less, I love it. The steamed dumplings were good and cooked perfectly, the general tso's chicken was mushy and didn't taste that good (had a feeling that would be the case at a place that specializes in dumplings). And the pork dim sum made up for everything, they were literally the best dumplings I've ever had. The broth inside was filled with flavor and the pork was juicy. The prices are low for what's in the area, along with the quality and great tasting dumplings being served. Stick with the dumpling menu and you can't go wrong. So happy I live close by and can make this one of my regular spots.
(4)
Kevin S.
SOUP DUMPLINGS!!! Ok I must admit that I was unsure about this place. Being next to the Chinatown Bus Station and the most disgusting Wawa in Philly made me not even think of trying it. But I did at a friends recommendation...I'm so glad I did. Try the soup dumplings and cucumber salad.
(5)
Caleigh R.
Not my favorite dim sum experience. We are big fans of sticky buns--and they didn't have these on the menu. The gal who helped us was very sweet and helpful. She was very informative when it came to how we should eat the soup dumplings. She also suggested the 3 sauces in the middle. Of the two soy colored sauces (still don't know what they were) I liked the sweeter one the most. I love my hot sauce as well! We had: Crab/pork soup dumplings-new experience. Interesting. Still love my sticky buns more. Scallion pancakes were my favorite Brocollini- flavorful and not too greasy Panfried pork buns -meh---same things as the soup dumplings, only fried. Could have done without these. Miss our sticky buns!!!
(3)
Jonny R.
My favorite spot for dim sum. There is not cart service, which I think must be a problem from some folks. But I enjoyed my options, and liked seeing a menu and ordering that way, too. It's unsuspecting, since it's in the bus tunnel-actually think that's a plus in some ways. I'll update the review with recommendations next time I'm there.
(3)
Jack B.
Best deal in the city for a cheap, quick go-to lunch or dinner. The first time I tried this place for lunch I came back later that day for dinner. The steamed pork juicy buns are phenomenal.
(5)
Michael P.
Very weak, If your an actual Dim Sum fan, I would definitley not reccomend this place. Its small, the selection of food is not that good & the food itself was pretty low quality. The Shumai was terrible, and the service was not good. Looking for quality dim sim? go somehwere else.
(1)
Clint W.
As much as it pains me to say it, my initial impression of Dim Sum may have been premature, a little influenced by the thrill of the chase. Like those guys that are obsessed with the girl until they get them, who once the primal chase is called off, find themselves disillusioned. After our first good experience at Dim Sum, my girlfriend and I returned with excitement. We knew what we were in for: good, inexpensive food, uncleaned tables, and a terse waitstaff. The Pork Juicy Buns, I must say, were just as delicious as the last time. But something had changed in the character of the place. Perhaps with all the positive reviews and the talk of Chef Jose Garces treating his family to Dim Sum made them complacent. They were out of the first 5 dishes we wanted (General Tso's, sesame, sweet & sour, etc etc). My girlfriend settled for some chicken and broccoli, that proved so fatty as to be almost inedible, and I ordered spring rolls along with the Pork Juicy Buns. After bringing our food, the waiter disappeared outside and never returned. We tried to pay but they said they'd bring the bill (another long wait ensued). Finally, after 15 minutes of empty time, we received our check, paid, and departed. Even though we knew to expect poor service and questionable food, our disappointment was beyond minor discomforts. For example, I love food but I'm not positive that the chicken and broccoli actually consisted of chicken. Why would they be out of every other chicken dish except that one? It didn't taste much like chicken and it certainly didn't look like it. I'm not saying Dim Sum doesn't have some excellent specialties. For a snack consisting of the Pork Juicy Buns, I might return. For a dinner, on the other hand, I'd sooner pay a little extra and order General Tso's from Empress Garden, the jewel of Chinatown.
(2)
Edward M.
Any place that, in an impromptu moment of hunger in the area, I decide to go to and - after eating the meal - am glad I did, deserves four stars. Mmmm, tasty hot seaweed soup.
(4)
Wes D.
My wife and I lived in Asia for a few years, and believe that most of the food items that we tried at Dim Sum Garden reflected a delicious authenticity. Their xiao long bao was outstanding, and their beef noodle soup brought us back to Taiwan. The atmosphere was a little dingy, but it kind of gave off that secret hole-in-the-wall feel, and we felt like we were expecting that going in. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we felt like the prices were commendable. We spent $24 for xiao long bao, onion pancakes, beef noodle soup, friend dumplings, and milk tea. They provided glasses of water immediately, which although it would've been nice to have complimentary hot tea, we were surprised to have free drinks. Our party of three walked away full and thrilled to have found a decent xiao long bao restaurant. Definitely going back...
(4)
Kevin A.
DUMPLING HEAVEN After cheesesteak overload I needed some Chinese food to restore balance to the force. Thank goodness for Dim Sum Garden. As soon as I walked in I knew this place was going to be great. It's a no-nonsense, no-frills, high turnover place that does what they do very well. Here's what you need to order. Trust me. -XLBs aka pork soup dumplings (Attn:XLB snobs from LA - just shut it...no one wants to hear about how much better ____ in LA/Arcadia/San Gabriel/ is) -Pork & chive potstickers; perfection, I could have eaten a dozen by myself. -Zhajiang mein; fried noodles with ground pork and gravy. (Note: Beware of the soy sauce bottles - they tend to send a squirt when you turn them over)
(5)
Mihiri w.
Confession: I am obsessed with their soup dumplings! The filling is so delicious and love the burst of all the soupy goodness. I also like the the pan-seared( don't know it's actual name) soup dumplings. They are more chewy in texture and aren't as " soupy". Their shrimp dumplings are good, typical dimsum kind, nothing out of the ordinary. I refuse to give them 5 stars because they have a $20 credit care limit, which is very inconvenient for a girl who rarely carries any cash.
(4)
Ming W.
Best xiao long bao I've had outside of Shanghai! These people really get it right with the dimsum. Also tried the shumai and "sheng jian bao" which were also on point. The surrounding area seems to be a slight bit ghetto but was worth the trip. Would definitely come back over and over.
(5)
Marina C.
Read the great reviews and I haven't had Xiao long bao in so long, I had to go before I left Philly. My last meal before my train back to NY and yeah I chose this weird looking place... My friend was all grumpy that day and didn't feel like eating anything at the Reading Terminal Market. Him not eating, there's definitely something wrong. Soup fixes everything! We ordered the juicy pork buns, scallion pancake, fried dumplings, and a beef brisket noodle soup. Their mango smoothie was really too sweet for me, but the hot tea was nice. It was so cold outside! I never dress for the weather.. Anyway... Pork dumplings were pretty good. They were really flavorful. Joe's Shanghai's dumplings aren't really better. I think I prefer these since I waited for the dumplings to cool a bit before burning myself and there was still plenty of yummy soup inside. And yes... fat gives it flavor. I've never ordered scallion pancakes at a chinese restaurant before. Crispy and light. Good, but nothing special. The beef brisket noodle soup was huge. It's easily for 2 people. The noodles tasted really light and fresh. The beef was flavorful. Probably the best beef brisket noodle soup I've had, not that I order it too much. We managed to eat practically everything for only $25. That's insane. We were so full, I felt like we needed to walk it off, all the way to 30th St.. Now that was really crazy. lol
(4)
Jess K.
Yum yum yummmm. A Chinese coworker brought us all here on our last day in Philly for work. She ordered the food in Chinese so it was a big surprise when it all started arriving. My favorite thing was the scallion pancakes but I also really liked the pork break type rolls she ordered. I didn't LOVE the mushy dumpling type things with seafood in them. The noodles with seafood were delicious. The food was really greasy and I felt vaguely ill after lunch but it was worth it. We all ate as much as we could fit into our stomachs for $10 each including tip. Can't beat that!
(4)
Ilana R.
LOVE this place . Delicious food, extremely friendly and helpful service by all staff, always asking if you would like to try new things and recommend - and its' always wonderful! Their soup dumplings, bok choy, scallion pancakes, soups, all are delicious, cheap and fast! Nothing better for a cold day
(5)
michael G.
Hi i'm emmett i'm 9.The dumplings rule! They have really good scallion pancakes. my brother liked it a lot and he's only 5! The best is the dumplings but they also have "chicken on stick" i really don't no why its called that. I'm ethan and i'm 5 and i like all the food except the scallion pancake.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
We ended up here because the Hilton Inn was right across the street. My bf ordered Shu Mai but it wasn't what he expected. I think he said it was Cantonese style not Mandarin or vice versa. I wish we tried other things but I was pretty full and he just wanted something small. There aren't really enough tables in this tiny place. Overall, it was ok clean
(3)
Catherine K.
Ever since Ian and I tried soup dumplings for the first time in Singapore, we've seeked these delicious things everywhere we go. We found a fantastic place in San Fran and it is our mission to find a place in Philly. I had heard that Dim Sum garden was the place to go for xiao long bao and for the most part I was satisfied. I'm not sure if they make the wrapping homemade but it was a little thicker than the traditional ones that I've had. Despite the thicker wrapping, I enjoyed the flavors of the dumpling and will definitely visit the place again. The staff was incredibly nice, helpful, and quick to serve us our food. I will continue to search for yummy xiao long bao, but this place will satisfy me for now.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Probably my favorite place in Chinatown. I was very depressed after the closing of the Lakeside Chinese Diner. But, a colleague introduced me to this little gem. Ok, so it is behind a bus station and it isn't classy or sophisticated. BUT so delicious. There are so many great things here. We had a 6 person business lunch here for $45. Yes, $45 and we were STUFFED. I recommed- * The Shanghai Steamed Buns * Vegetable Steam Buns * Scallion Pancakes (the best I have ever had anywhere) * Dumplings * Stewed Chicken and Rice and the Vegetarian/Tofu dish (I can't remember the name at the moment). It is all delicious. I can't say enough great things about this place. Just a piece of Dim Sum heaven!
(5)
James T.
Flew into Philly on the 4th of July and couldn't get my usual post flight meal at Tony Luke's (closed for the holiday). I searched for "pork" near city hall ( I've heard of a rival pork sandwich place in the Reading Terminal Market and thought that this would be a good opportunity to give it a try...also closed for the the holiday!? A major tourist destination and it's closed on one one of the busiest tourist days in Philly...and they say we west coasters are "laid back") and this name popped up. You don't usually think of flying from SF to Philly for dim sum, but SF isn't really very strong in the XLB department. So I wanted to give it a try. Not a mistake. The place isn't as pretty as say Din Tai Fung in Arcadia, but I think the food is as good, cheap, and the people working there are are super nice. Had kind of a weird mix of things because it was super hot (well, coming from SF 90 degrees feels like the "end of days", or what ever ...dang what was that thing that those wackos expected to happen a couple of months ago...the recycling? the r- something, sorry I have a hard time keeping up with all the wacky shit the snake fondlers dream up). But to get back on track it was all really good, cheap, divey, and I was super happy with the place, thus the 5 stars. Oh, and please excuse the abuse of the word "super".
(5)
David C.
Four stars are specifically only for the steamed buns, which are really good, and the price, which is really cheap. Every other aspect of this place, from ambiance to basically all the other dishes they offer, is not good. But since you can have just the steamed buns, it's great.
(3)
Shannon O.
I love going here for brunch and getting an order of soup dumplings and the pork and chive pan-fried dumplings. It costs less than $15 (with tip!) and feeds two people to the gills. DELICIOUS.
(5)
Paige W.
I'm sorry to rain on this Yelp parade, but this one disappointed me enough to pull up the Yelp account after a bit of a hiatus. Not that I should be listening to Craig Laban, who rarely sides with my palate, but after another endorsement from a food reviewer friend I had to check this place out. I can live with the shabby setting, and can even look past the steel wool carelessly tossed into a corner to keep away the bus terminal critters. But I was really expecting some killer street food. It lived up to the cheap part, but that's about it. As someone who doesn't eat beef or pork, it shouldn't be terribly hard to find something on a dim sum menu considering that I'll eat chicken, seafood, and just about everything else. But this wasn't really dim sum after all. No carts stacked with yummy round things - just a menu which reads reads like a swine slaughterhouse. I asked the waitress if there was anything on the menu without pork and she pointed to the beef. So much for the soup dumplings I'd heard so much about, but my husband was able to try them and said they were pretty good. I ordered some vegetable buns which were pretty good with the sweet dumpling sauce on the table. But things quickly went downhill with a bowl of soup the consistency and color of phlegm. And , no, not egg drop soup where that is expected. This was some sort of indescribable goo dotted with raisins. It was just like the dish the mother served in "Better Off Dead "which slid off the plate. The noodle dished came out smelling strongly, and not in a good way. Fortunately they didn't taste quite as bad, but that isn't saying very much. I liked the consistency of the homemade noodles, but the chicken was clearly that ubur-cheap stock, cut haphazardly with no concern for bone, fat, or otherwise. In fact, when it came out I was pretty sure they had mistakenly given me beef. But it was chicken after all, akin to the mall-food-court-grade chicken-on-a-stick but minus the deliciously sweet secret food court sauce. So maybe there is more there for the pork eaters who can savor those illustrious soup dumplings. But for me, and my notoriously not-picky partner, the only time that terminal will see me is on the next Chinatown bus to New York.
(2)
G Z.
This is not the most glamorous place to eat, but overlook that and try the handmade xiao long bao (Shanghai steamed buns). Having lived in Shanghai, these are the most authentic you'll get in Philly (if you can even find them anywhere else). The vegetable steamed buns, steamed pork & chives dumplings, and scallion pancake are all just as fantastic, handmade, authentic goodness.
(5)
C'Anne W.
Yum! More Shanghai style than traditional Hong Kong style. Very tasty and available at 3 in the afternoon! Our party of 10 thoroughly enjoyed it. (Some of us have lived in HK, and some of us are Asian!)
dim sum garden is the best! so delicious & affordable! i make a point to not eat out often, so i've never really enjoyed a relationship with a restaurant that involves face recognition & meaningful greetings. but the lovely ladies of DSG recognize me. and they are lovely & always ready to serve my "usual": 1 order of soup dumplings (#1 suffices) & 1 order of scallion pancakes. there have been many occasions when i required 2 orders of dumplings. and once, after a particularly exhausting day at work and taiko class, i consumed 3 orders of dumplings and 2 orders of scallion pancakes. i still weigh 115lb. i've tried the "juicy buns" at sakura and the magic kingdom in philly chinatown as well as joe shanghai in manhattan chinatown, but none of them can beat DSG's dumplings. the main difference lies in the dumpling sauce & hot pepper. (the ginger sauce is yucky, but hey, whatever floats your boat) ohhhh. (this is the sound that homer simpson makes when he drools) if you can't handle spiciness, have no fear! the dumpling sauce alone is still amazing! the dumplings are soft & succulent. full of fat, yes, but delicious, almost-worth-dying-for fat. to avoid breaking their delicate skins, i often pick them by the nubs, place them on my soup spoon, pick 'em up again and rub their bottoms in my sauce & pepper mixture, then promptly replace on my soup spoon. then i swoop in for the kill. the scallion pancakes are crispy and pair oh so perfectly with the dumplings. DSG serves many other dishes, but i've never been able to wean myself off the xiaolongbao. my friends & colleagues have always been pleased with their rice & noodle dishes, so go ahead & explore! but no matter what, definitely try #1 &/or #2!
(5)
Pearl W.
This is my first review ever but I have to share so others know that we (my 5 year old daughter) found a live worm, it was not even dead, in the Xiao long bao or Shanghai dumpling. After that we lost our appetite but did not make a scene and tried to eat the other items we had ordered. The waitress took the dish with the live worm away with a sorry and that was it - like it happens often. So when we got our bill they didn't charge us for the order with the worm but I felt we should get at least a discount or a dish for free or really the entire meal for free. So when I went up to the counter to pay I requested for ONE dish free and got excuses. She said that the worm was live so it must have come from the table because it would have died during the cooking process. After trying to explain that we lost our appetite after we saw the worm she had the nerve to say that we weren't going to come back anyway so I guess in other words we should pay for the meal. I ended up paying for the meal since it didn't seem worth arguing anymore. I'm more upset at the customer service than the worm.
(1)
christina h.
this is by far the best noodle soup i've ever had and ive tried em all. i love noodle soup and just stumbled upon this place hidden in the nook of 11th st. and intersecting dead end cuthbert. right past the bus station. they have 2 different handmade noodles a wide variety of meets and veggies u can add to ur noodles w/ or w/o soup.and homemade steamed dumplings..this is goood food
(5)
Steph V.
I skipped out on the Philly cheesesteak experience and settled to satisfy my dim sum craving. Thanks to the handy Yelp app (get it if you don't already do!) I found this grimy gem under a smelly overpass/bridge thing gasping for a sliver of light but offering food stuffs to feed a hungry army. After much consideration, I ordered the soup wonton thingys that everyone had recommended. Funny thing was that our server wasn't able to explain much of the menu. I'm more used to an a la carte kind of dim sum that ordering felt foreign. I don't recommend the fried chicken. Although it was crispy on the outside, the inside was dusty -- as in void of all flavor -- like menopause. And this is just an FYI for all you people who come to Philly for the first time and decide to venture to high rated Yelp restaurants in the boondocks. DO NOT GO ALONE. While we were eating, a cracked out teenager walked in the doorway and was staring at me while swaying back and forth. It was scary! Then, a couple minutes later, he came in and sat at the table behind me and watched us eat. Ugh...I was so uncomfortable. This may not always happen here, but I just had to share that. Overall, I liked the food and brought the food back to the hotel. Nothing to brag about though.
(3)
Annie M.
I take it back! When they're on, they are on! hehe YUMMY xiao long bao!
(4)
Richard L.
I really like their food! Despite their terrible location, they serve up fresh and delicious Chinese. Yes the dim sum is really good. I'm sorta addicted. Don't let the appearance fool you and yes the Philadelphia Inquierer review was right on!
(4)
Mega D.
Vile. Those who work in an open kitchen must be aware that customers can SEE EVERY HORRID THING BEING DONE TO THEIR FOOD. Like, woman preparing my disgusting, overpriced wonton noodle soup: I can see that you are repeatedly blowing your nose and not washing your hands while touching things that I might ingest with your diseased digits. Like, other women preparing pork/ whatever dumplings, I can see that you have decided to forgo the $3 for a box of zip lock bags and have instead opted to store said meat in a CVS bag. That's right, a plastic CVS bag that you get when you buy things like tampons, razorblades, whatever. I am not a germophobe but I would rather not witness a PARADE OF CONTAGIONS while you are preparing food I have paid you money for. Against my better judgment, I was curious to see how this hazmat-soaked soup tasted. As I attempted to corral a dumpling with my chopsticks, it disintegrated into the oily mass of broth, slime noodles and rancid, yellow bok choi. As poor and hungry as I was, I threw this putrid mixture in the trash. In summary, do not go here. For amazing, simple and inexpensive wonton noodle soup, I totally recommend patronizing either Wong Wong at 9th and Race Streets or Wokano at 11th and Washington Streets.
(1)
Carl N.
For years I've been driving up to my usual spots in Manhattan and Flushing for my xia long bao fix - not anymore. I've walked past this place so many times but never gave it a second thought on entering until I read about it on one of Yelp's monthly emails. I was hesitant at first, but after reading everyone's reviews and tips I decided to give it a shot. Besides the delicious xia long bao, the dumplings there are excellent as well (pork & chives). My preference is for the steamed dumplings though (fried ones are ok, but probably would have tasted better had I ordered it right after the grill was cleaned). I've gone as often as twice a day for xiao long baos; gluttonous.
(4)
Amy H.
The name of this business is very misleading. Don't walk in expecting anything like traditional dim sum. Service is slow and lacking. Your orders will come out one at a time and often with a significant delay. Order the xiao long bao and pass on everything else.
(2)
Lisa R.
The soup dumplings are great here. I was taken back by the restaurant setting as I was expecting carts, but the place is small and perfect for casual dining. The sui mai was my least favorite option on the table. The siu mai was not the usual filling. The filling was a mixture of rice and meat. I'm more customed to pork and shrimp mixture, but it was cool to try something new. We also ordered the shrimp dumpling (aka har gow), which was tasty but on the smaller size. As for the service, it was a bit slow for the Monday morning we were there.
(3)
june g.
Sometimes, you find delectable delights in places you'd expect least. In my case, that'd be next to the bus depot in Chinatown, in an obscenely bright, but clean restaurant. Craving what I once had in Chinatown in Lima, Peru; I went on a quest to find the closest thing to it here in Philadelphia. After much reviewing, Dim Sum Garden looked to be the best bet, so my Valentine and I ventured out. Upon arriving we were told to sit anywhere, we're brought hot, black tea and handed menus. After much contemplation, we decided on scallion pancakes, shanghai suimai, shrimp dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, wonton soup, and juicy pork buns. I'll save the best for last. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, not overly doughy or oily. Yet I'm still hoping to find scallion pancakes where the flavor of the scallions are more present and dominant. The wontons in the soup were freshly homemade and delicious, however, I didn't care for the broth; as the smell of seafood from the seaweed in the soup was slightly overbearing. The shrimp dumplings were good, nothing stood out about them but they were a nice accompaniment to the other dishes. Among my favorites were the savory Shanghi Sui Mai, served hot and steamy. I tasted rice, pork, and is that coconut? I don't know what was in them, but with some dumpling sauce it made a dish to return to. The ginger sauce tasted old and fermented which was my only slight disapointment, as I love ginger and was looking forward to having it as my primary dipping sauce. Between refilled cups of tea, we moved on to our other dishes. The chives were ever present in the succulent pork and chive dumplings. The dough just the right consistency, soft on the tongue and slightly chewy. After reading about the must have 'soup dumplings', they were a nice finish to an already savory, filling meal. Heeding the advice of other soup dumpling eaters, I slowly bit a piece of the dumpling off the top, blew into it to cool the soup, sipped and then savored the pork and juice after devouring the rest of the dumpling. Very tasty yet a bit oily(I take it that's only the natural pork fat), but I'd order it again to share with others, perhaps the crab and pork version next time. And with a $26.00 bill, we'll be back. And that, my fellow yelpers, just about dim sums it up.
(4)
Diane C.
All I can say is...YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Dave H. for Yelping about it!
(5)
Christina S.
Everything looks different from their photo and the photos posted by other people, almost making me wonder if the owner changed? The skin of the shrimp dumplings was not chewy at all, which was the worst dish of the day. The pan fried pork buns were soupy and nice. The cucumber appetizer was a bit salty but not bad at all. The shui-mai was... hmm... innovative, in a way that I would never order again (but my families who didn't like regular shui-mei, liked their innovative shui-mei lol). I will give them 3-stars because it wasn't bad but I've had better.
(3)
S W.
I finally had the chance to try the Xiao Long Bao, and they were really good. I am so happy to finally have a place to get these instead of having to go all the way to NYC. Their noodles were also really good, made in the restaurant, and when I asked the waitress, she said the "dry style" was better than the soup style. I got the dry noodles, and although they were a little salty, they were really tasty. Don't let this place close down, Philly definitely needs more Chinese restaurants than the usual Cantonese style! Next time, I want to try their dumplings and their scallion pancake. Also, as a side note, they do sell their dumplings raw, if you want to take them home and freeze them. Same price as cooked at the restaurant.
(4)
John B.
Xiao Long Bao (Soup dumplings!! These are much better than the ones from Joe's Shanghai in NY. Their fried noodles have good flavor (maybe a tad too salty at times) and their soup noodles are a bit blend. But I can give 4 stars just based on their soup dumplings. My favorite things to get: Pork Soup Dumplings, Pork/Crab Soup Dumplings, Beef Noodles without Soup.
Their soup dumplings (xiao long bao) is amazing and a great deal! This is the best soup dumplings I have had. There is much more flavor in the broth and stuffing than Joe's Shanghai! We ordered the pork dumpling and the pork and crab dumpling.. both were wonderful! We also ordered the pork and chives pan-fried dumplings and scallion pancakes.. great! Amazing flavors! The scallion pancakes are soo addicting because its so crispy and thin. Four delicious dishes for $18.45... What a deal! I'm definitely coming back here again!
(5)
Jonathan T.
Okay, I've seen a lot of straight one star "not original DSG, goto 10th and Race" by people, half of them have just one review so I'm going to ignore that. I've heard another side of the story, where the woman who runs the 10th and Race operation had half the stake in the company and decided to spin off and do her own restaurant. To be honest it doesn't make a different to me; if you serve me good food I'm happy, restaurant politics aren't factored in my review! Unfortunately I might still come off as biased when I say I think the "original" Dim Sum Garden makes better xiaolongbaos (soup dumplings) than the new restaurant, at least of late. The preparation is of higher quality with the skin being nice and thin, the meat tender, and the liquid plentiful. Scallion pancakes were solid, just the right amount of greasiness and fried doneness. I also got a cold duck appetizer which was pretty delicious as well. I also appreciate the effort to spruce up the interior of the restaurant. Yes, it's still underneath an overpass that is part of the convention center, but they've replaced the cheap, plastic IKEA tables and chairs with less cheap, wooden but probably still IKEA tables and chairs. They take credit cards whereas the 10th and Race location does not (at least as of a month ago). Don't count out this location. I personally don't care if it's old, new, original or a ripoff ... if somebody were to come up to me and ask for the best soup dumplings in Philadelphia I'd say this restaurant takes the cake [for now]. The only downside is I have to eat more soup dumplings to keep the pulse on both restaurants, poor me :)
(4)
Alex P.
It was ok. Its right next to the Wawa and Greyhound bus station. They had a variety of juicy buns and they had bubble tea. It actually wasn't cheap. Each dish was $5-7 for the dim sum. And they didn't have shumai or beef noodles. They noted that they were Shanghai style only, no Cantonese.
(3)
Luna A.
being from nyc, i had high expectations for this place... and they exceeded them! i almost wish i could move this place to the city! super quick great service and amazing dim sum.... really not much else to say. make sure you tip these guys they really deserve it.
(5)
Chi-Chi S.
my co-teacher/girlfriend usually came here for late night snack when we volunteered as ESL teachers near Chinatown. Their house made noodle is superb, and you can hardly go wrong with anything on the dim sum menu. and the biggest advantage: soooooooo inexpensive, as is the principle of nearly all places in Chinatowns.
(5)
Andy N.
Pork, beef and shrimp dumplings all taste the same. They cut the fillings from a solid piece of three colored pre-prepared blob of processed meat. The soup in those juicy dumplings is rather salty. Can only eat four of those. Nothing special here. If anyone thinks this is awesome dim sum has not eaten in los Angeles or d.c.
(2)
Nan S.
my worry is there are too much pork fat in the dumplings (all kinds). I am very wary of animal fat in general, although I know a little fat is required for the good taste. Priced very reasonable.
(3)
Franz E.
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Is absolutely right. If the nearby drug clinics gave away Dim Sun Garden's soup dumplings as a means for recovery I am sure we would see less drug addicts in the streets. Why? Because these dumplings are super addicting, they are really good, and really cheap. I came into this joint yesterday, and I always walked passed it going to work and disregarded the place because of the restaurant's location, underneath the PA Convention Center inundated by carbon fumes coming from the bus depot directly adjacent to the restaurant. BUT first impressions can definitely be deceiving because once inside the restaurant I found the place very clean, the staff was professional courteous to my questions, and everything on the menu is under $10 (not that it matters because soup dumplings are the draw of this place). I decided to order the pork soup dumplings for $5.25, that's right folks for the price of a McDonald's UN-Happy Meal you get these juicy soup filled dumplings of joy. THE BEST PART IS THE FLAVOR! These dumplings are legit. I mean authentic really flavorful rich pork flavor. I am definitely coming back to this place to try out more of their ridiculously addicting food. I am hooked because as the yelp rating indicates "its as good as it gets" at least in Philly.
(5)
reviewer m.
Based on the reviews from Yelp I was interested in Dim Sum Garden. I can confirm that it is located in a slightly seedy location under a bridge/station and the atmosphere is interesting with the neon glow of lights. The interior is pretty dingy and dirty but nothing too out of the ordinary for Chinatown (but we did see a small spider that joined us for lunch ON our table). I would highly recommend this place ONLY for xiao long bow. We had bok choi, beef noodles, eel soup and fried scallion pancakes from here. All the "dim sum' dishes were bland and actually bad. The veggies had no taste and we pretty much added hot sauce to everything. The bows were great. Not as good as this one place called Joes in NY but pretty good. The prices were very good. As mentioned, you can't taste the crab but still good and juicy. I have come back a couple of times and have tried their dishes but from now on, I'm only getting the bows from there. I give it three stars because it's pretty dirty in there.
(3)
William S.
Do yourself a flavor and come here for the soup dumplings. Not the crab ones, just the plain jane xiao long bao. And that's it. I repeat: order one xiao long bao, eat, and bid your adieu. You have no other reason to stay. Unless you're waiting for the Chinatown bus.
(4)
Raequel S.
i had always walked by this place and wondered... should i? i mean it looked kinda sketchy and all...but last night i met up with friends before going to an awesome Echo & The Bunnymen show at the Troc around the corner and i've become a believer! even though the surrounding area IS very sketchy (and smells like piss all the time) this place is quite bright and clean. the service is okay, though there is a more than slight language barrier. the menu is very interesting and being that they specialize in dumplings and other standard dim sum fare - it'd be a shame if you come in here just for a regular order of fried rice. i wasnt familiar with the food, but i was curious and chose the Napa and Pork Dumplings, and the chicken dumplings. also since i was in a group we shared our orders among each other and i fell in love with the scallion pancakes that my friend had...omg i didnt know how much i loved scallions before i took that first savory bite...sigh... also, another good, no GREAT thing about DSG is that it is BYOB...the tea cups we had were perfect to sip the beer we brought (cause you know we likes to keep it classy like that *wink*), the tea wasnt that bad either though i'm a such a gaijin that i would have liked to have gotten sugar packets to put in it. the most expensive things on the menu were 10.50 and thats for a shrimp entree. you get the dim sum experience without having to flag down a table and much less hassle. they serve chopsticks but you can get a fork if you are unable to use them (looks embarrassingly at her shoes). they have to-go options as well so you can have that a good cheap lunch/supper while you are trapped on a Greyhound or Chinatown bus (both depots very close by) so in conclusion...do NOT judge a book by its cover - forego the wawa hoagie and get your pre-game on at Dim Sum Garden before a Troc show, plus if you polish off your BYO Brews you save $$$ at the bar for overpriced drinks and tips. one of philly's best kept secrets!
(5)
Oski B.
As we walked up 11th Street from Market, the first thing I saw was "Wings" in neon in the window and thought that our friendship might be in jeopardy. As we got closer, I realized the restaurant was right next door to one of the Chinese bus terminals and I thought for sure that this would be our last meal as friends. She swore that it would be tasty so I followed her in. Although I glanced at the menu to get a sense of what they ordered, I deferred the ordering to my Taiwanese friend. As a brown friend once told me when we were at a Korean restaurant, "you order here, and I'll order when we got out for Indian." Fair enough. Sadly, we ordered too much food so we started to feel a bit overwhelmed by the end. To make matters worse, our server had forgotten to put our xiao long bao order in so we had to rush through them at the very end as we were already late to meeting some of her friends. We asked the server to cancel our scallion pancake which he didn't give us a hard time about. I look forward to trying it again when we aren't as rushed. For a hole in the wall in a sketchy location, this is a great find. Leaving with our friendship intact was another bonus.
(4)
Alicia L.
The dumplings are definitely the highlight here. I enjoyed those and I was very glad that I went with a friend who suggested we order them and split them. However, the rest of my meal was pretty terrible. I didn't see much on the menu that stood out so I played it safe with shrimp fried rice, because its hard to mess up shrimp fried rice you would think. I was wrong; it was tremendously bland and the shrimp were rubbery and overcooked. The restaurant itself also felt kinda dirty, and service was alright until we wanted the bill...it took them forever to bring it to us, and then forever to bring us change. I might go back just to get dumplings, but I would be cautious about ordering anything else.
(2)
Lan G.
Love the duck tongue there! :D Also, do try the fried dumplings. They make it well!
(4)
Jose A.
My girlfriend loves this place, very good soup dumplings and everything else for that matter, a must see/eat at hole in the wall dumpling spot, love it, love it, love it!
(5)
Zachary D.
For decor, Dim Sum Garden gets roughly 0 stars. But, the food is really good. The chicken dumplings are some of the best dumplings I have had in North America. The Bok Choy was well prepared in some tasty butter sauce. The vegetable buns were a bit dry. The vegetable dumplings were good.
(4)
Jing G.
I came here again yesterday on my way to NYC and my boyfriend and I had lunch here. This time I ordered the vegetable buns plus the scallion pancakes and the unagi over rice. Everything was less than $5 a plate and it was so delicious and filling. The very same kabayaki unagi over rice in any other Japanese restaurant costs almost close to double the price (unadon).. but here it even comes with some bokchoy on the side! All yummy and in actually we ended up getting way too much food. When I come back, a single order of veggie buns for me and an order of the steamed shanghai dumplings for the boyfriend would be more than enough. That's lunch for less than $10 for two. Can't get much better than that.
(4)
Stephanie C.
Even though this place is a hole in the wall, it's the only place I've found in philly to service shanghai dumplings. Luckily, they are delicious! Don't come here if you want the traditional dim sum with carts because you won't get it. This place also serves other Shanghainese food, but for sure you have to try the dumplings. I'm not a fan of the dumplings with crab even though in China it's considered a delicacy. I like the original one. Get Mapo Tofu and Scallion pancake if you are still hungry. Those other two are very good as well! .
(4)
Jordan F.
When you first walk by it looks pretty sketchy. But don't let that discourage you. But the food is sooooooo worth it. I sure pigged out I had the scallion pancakes that were so good I kept wanting more. I also had the pork dumplings, the napa cabbage, and the chicken dumplings. They all were tasty fresh and favorly. And I could leave with out getting some noodles I had the spicy beef noodle soup. Tasty beef broth,fresh noodles, green equal heaven. Thank you dim sum garden even thought at first I thought I was in the bus station you are a gem and I hope to dine again soon.
(4)
Anne L.
Icky on the outside. Delicious on the inside. Soup dumplings mmmmmm
(5)
Michael L.
Delicious food at a reasonable price that came out very quickly. The restaurant is not much to look at but the dumplings make it worthwhile.
(5)
Ramen F.
Ambiance: We all know that this is not the prettiest restaurant nor in the nicest location. Granted, you will have to push past the chinatown bus crowd to get into Dim Sum Garden, but you will be happy that you did! The furniture is recognizable as some of the cheapest options that you can find at Ikea, but it serves its purpose. The wall is full of framed pictures of some famous international sights, but there is no real theme. Past the curtains is the bathroom...and a hallway of storage. Service: The service is that of a traditional Asian restaurant where the server is brusque, but it is not meant as an insult. If there is an Asian in your dining group, the server will try to communicate with and through them as much as possible. It can be a bit isolating and annoying. But again, can you blame them? The food comes out quickly and the waitstaff is always so close by (small restaurant) that you can easily flag them over if you need anything. Food: This is the real reason that you come to this place - the food. If you have seen this place and already know the location and aesthetic, it is clear that the food must be good in order to always be so packed. The soup dumplings are the headliner here (with scallion pancake trailing closely behind) and rightfully so. To be honest, it is not worth it to me to pay extra for the seafood soup dumplings because their flavor is very nearly the same as the regular pork ones. Learning how to eat these things is key, otherwise you WILL burn yourself. Be warned that if the soup from the dumpling squirts out on your face, hand, etc - it will be burning hot and quite sticky. Put the soup dumpling into your Chinese spoon, bite off the top, let the dumpling cool,add chili sauce and dumpling sauce on top (this step is optional for you but imperative for me), eat the whole thing like the greedy troll that you are. Their version of dan dan noodles are tasty, but not spicy and cannot hold a candle to Han Dynasty. Their beef noodle soup is just okay. Stick with the headliners. Overall: Get over thinking that you are above this shady location and go to this restaurant, get the soup dumplings and scallion pancakes, thank me later.
(4)
Kristin H.
My first soup dumpling experience was not a disappointment, after I figured out the menu. Soup dumplings = buns, apparently. Anyway, dumplings were tasty and came out quick, and there were lots of them. A few too many. And they don't travel well. Next time, I'll split the order with a friend. The scallion pancake was delicious, and good for trying out the different sauces on the table. Quick, cheap, and tasty. I am satisfied.
(3)
Joy C.
Legit soup dumplings in the most random, sketchy location. Was pleasantly surprised. I would stay away from the scallion pancakes though. Tasted like the frozen kind you get in the Asian supermarket and barely had any scallions... I would go back and just eat an entire order of soup dumplings.
(4)
Dana B.
As mentioned in previous reviews, don't go to Dim Sum Garden expecting that fancy of an atmosphere, because it comes nowhere close to the appearance of your average Dim Sum restaurant, especially given its location (right next to the Chinatown bus stop). However, their menu has plenty of options to satisfy just about everyone, and not only that, the prices are extremely reasonable. $5.75 for 6 shrimp dumplings? Not bad!
(4)
Julie W.
Although the owners of this place have moved on to what's now known as THE Dim Sum Garden on Race St., the dumplings here are still delicious! Pork and chives and pork and napa - you can get them panfried or boiled. We've also tried other small dim sum dishes (no carts here); I remember the soup dumplings were pretty good but the spicy tripe was just okay. Come here for quick eat-in or take-out. The atmosphere will likely deter you from entertaining out-of-town guests here, but there's never a wait and the food is very solid for the price. Cash only.
(4)
Diana X.
Good soup dumplings, small selection of authentic things on the menu but if you frame it as a typical takeout restaurant, which it sort of appears to be from the outside, this place is incredible. They've got some roast duck which is decent, but I find that their entrees have too large of a portion of rice and fillers and not that much meat or whatever it is you're actually wanting to pay for. Prices aren't what I would consider super cheap either, and you may find yourself with a bill higher than expected relative to the casual look of the place. Their crispy scallion pancakes are also fantastic. They make all their dumplings by hand, and I even saw a lady insert a huge pan of dumplings she'd just constructed into a freezer by my table.
(4)
Diraj K.
I used to frequent this place 4 years ago, when they were just a hole in the wall joint under a bridge. I'm very excited, but not the least bit surprised they have succeeded and expanded. The food here rivals, if not exceeds the quality in NYC. As someone who has tried soup dumplings all over the world, including China, I will definitely vouch for this place. Start with the steamed pork soup dumplings, an absolute must here. You can get them pan fried as well, which are also good but after a few, the oil makes me feel sick. You won't go wrong with the scallion pancakes or noodle soup dishes either. Its cash only which is why I docked a star. On the flip side, that's probably why they are so affordable. If you're looking for good shanghai cuisine in Philly, this place is hard to beat.
(4)
Gizelle P.
Came in from a long trip on the Greyhound on a muggy day- and this place made me so happy! Waiter was super patient with me, sat me where I wanted to, and my order came fast. This place is a family-run joint, love their relaxed and calm atmosphere. An order of pork soup dumplings was the perfect, not too filling amount for lunch for one person. They were flavorful and served at the perfect temperature so I didn't burn my tongue. And at $6 it's a steal, I know plenty of places that charge $10! After the first bite I was happy to have all 8 to myself :) I wanted to try their scallion pancakes, but I'm just gonna trust them that they're very good. SO glad I found this place!
(5)
Moish G.
Been to the Original Dim Sum Garden many, many times, and have brought many friends there to share. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are excellent. Traditional boiled pork and chive dumplings are excellent, too. I've had a few other dishes there, and everything seems to be top-notch quality: rice platters, general tso's chicken, mapo tofu, scallion pancake. ODSG is a clearly a no-frills kind of environment: its location under a parking garage and next door to the Chinatown bus depot, its IKEA furnishings. But it seems clean and orderly. Occasional issues with language, but that's to be expected. They really need to have napkin dispensers on the tables! On my latest visit there (9/7/2015), I ordered the boiled pork and chive dumplings. I happened to be seated so that I had a bird's-eye view into the kitchen. I watched the cook scoop the dumplings out of the boiling water and onto a platter. One of them fell onto the floor. She picked it right up, and I figured she was throwing it away. Alas, no. She popped it back into the vat of boiling water for a half a minute, and popped it back onto the platter. Yum! Look, it's not the worst thing to happen, and it probably happens a helluva a lot more often than we imagine, but of course we typically don't see it. Still, it makes one wonder what other 'short cuts' are being taken in the kitchen, and after the Yang Ming debacle, it makes one think even more.
(3)
Loi D.
The food was delicious, but unfortunately the service was really bad. The staff here was completely unorganized. For a restaurant that size there should be more than one person taking orders and seating the guests. Because of this the waitress to our table completely forgot about our order and continued to service people after us. The first thing we ordered was their well known soup dumplings. Before even getting our dumplings other tables were being served theirs. Tables that definitely came in after we did. The staff was so lost at one point we can over hear other tables complaining that they got the wrong order. Tips to help them: Serve your current customers before trying to multitask with seating new ones. The manager needs to help organize the waitress so that the right orders go to the right tables in a timely manner. If the manager can't do this hire a hostess so that it's one less task for the waiter/waitress to handle. Know your own menu. If there's something on the menu that's no longer available, tell the customer that.
(1)
Dianna L.
I'm giving this place five stars for the xiao long bao. Definitely the best I've had outside of china. Don't let it's under the bridge location and glass box look keep you from going in and trying the food. Otherwise, you will be missing out.
(5)
D K.
Location appears sketchy, located at the periphery of Chinatown. Decor is typically spartan. Had their soup dumplings (it doesn't say "soup dumplings" on the menu so just ask and they'll point them out to you). Nice amount of umami and before you know it, you're popping them in bon bons. Also had the spiced beef noodle (dry). Not spicy at all but still very tasty. When back in Philly, I'll be sure to come back.
(4)
Lynn D.
The dumplings are pretty damn good - thank you fellow yelpers. The inside is pretty decent compared to its location - the lime green paint sort of reminds me of a frozen yogurt place. The service is alright - pretty typical. They take your order, take your money, and bring your food out. They aim to do all of these pretty quickly as soon as you approach the counter. There's not really any leeway for small talk (or sometimes general decency and politeness), but it's best not to take it personally. Since the dumplings weren't going to be filling, I ordered the Peking duck noodle soup. Please, PLEASE do not order this. The broth has no flavor, the veggies were droopy, and the noodles are flat, powdery, rubbery, chewy...I just can't. The duck was good, but that's pretty easy to accomplish, being in the Duck Capital of Philly and all.
(3)
Yvette W.
Most authentic Shanghai dim sum in the city. Reminds me of home! I love coming here on a lazy weekend. It's a great little unassuming place underneath the convention center with amazing traditional Chinese "dim sum". The food here are the types you can find along the street carts or in small "dian xing" restaurants in China. Get the Shanghai soup dumplings and the pan fried dumplings. They are by far the best I've had in the states. The fillings are filled with perfect about of pork to fat ratio. The soup doesn't get too oily. They don't have the rolling carts for dim sum but that's more a Cantonese tradition and this is a Shanghai-nese place. Also try the turnip cake and the wonton soup.
(5)
Christina K.
The only place I've eaten at in Philadelphia that has good xiao long bao, or makes it for that matter. Every time I come here, its good and its consistent. Service is fast and everything always tastes fresh, not frozen. Pretty much a hole in the wall in a delightful location (sarcasm) but they do their job well at delivering good food to many patrons a day. Usually order the same thing every time with variation from here and there. Xiao long bao with pork, or crab meat and pork - soupy and delicious Pan fried juicy pork buns - meaty and crispy Scallion pancake - crunchy and addicting Pan fried chive and pork dumplings - crispy outside and moist filling Shanghai wonton soup - flavorful broth with seaweed and tender wontons Never had a disappointing meal here and love either the vinegar or dumpling sauce mixed with red chili oil. Although the outside looks sketchy and like a corner store Chinese take out restaurant, it is definitely worth it.
(5)
Carrie C.
As you have already probably heard from other Yelpers, their xiao long bao completely rocked my world. They are perfectly made with nicely tender yet chewy skins thick enough to hold the soup and meat inside, the pork filling and soup are amazingly flavorful...pretty much everything about this soup bun is perfect. I would recommend sticking with the classic pork-only xiao long bao, as the one with the crab has a barely noticeable crab flavor. I have tried a few other of their dishes, none of which rocked my socks the way the xiao long bao did. The beef noodle soup was only okay--a little bit too salty for my taste. The wonton noodle soup was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. The chive and pork dumplings were a little lacking in the flavor, but still yummy. I would recommend trying their pumpkin cakes (on the specials board) if you're a fan of lotus paste because these little cakes are chewy, sweet, and delicious. Overall, hands down, the best, most satisfying, most comforting meal I have found thus far in Philadelphia. I always get something else along with the xiao long bao just for variety, but the soup buns are what I truly crave from this place, and they will keep me coming back frequently.
(4)
John B.
Probably not the best place for lunch on a really hot day -- the walk back to the office was a little uncomfortable after snarfing down the amaaaaazingly good food. Never been disappointed, and I'll sacrifice a little comfort on the walk and a notch in the belt for this place anytime though. My one concession to the heat was that I didn't get a big bowl of soup this time. Soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are awesome as always, the turnip cakes were delicious as well, and I enjoyed sitting where I could watch them making food in the kitchen. The place looks divey from the outside, near the Greyhound terminal. The food is NOT divey at all. Trust me (and the other reviewers).
(5)
Josephine L.
Soup dumpling review only: Stop #2378 of long weekend Philly food tour brought me and the boy here to try what Yelpers proclaim the best soup dumplings in the city. Now, of course, I have not had every soup dumpling in the city, so I cannot be unfair to the other little soup dumplings and say Dim Sum Garden's is the best. It is, however, on par with the best soup dumplings I've had in Boston and some decent ones I've had in Toronto (Asian food heaven). Not as good as Taiwan, but is anything? (The answer is no). The pork and crab meat dumplings are larger than most I've had and the soup is hot and flavorful without being too greasy. The filling is tender and succulent and the skin is thick and chewy. Eight of these babies in and you'll be ready to pop soup yourself.
(5)
Mark L.
Love this place for its soup dumplings (i.e. shanghai steamed buns). Forget the rest of the menu, location and ambiance. Just go chill out with some friends and enjoy. Perfect place to frequent with the SO for wknd brunch or late nite. Also perfect for a quick no-frills meal place in chinatown/convention center area. I may be biased because this was one of the first places to have decent soup dumplings in Philly five-six years ago. Other places may carry it now but I'm still partial to the no-frills original.
(4)
Jennifer T.
I have always made fun of the florescent "WINGS" and "DIM SUM" signs in the window when walking to RTM and Chinatown... this place looks like a complete joke from the outside. Then, in 2008, I read the Craig LaBan article praising soup dumplings at this sketchy place, located in the PA Convention Center underpass. Upon further investigation, aka the google, I realized soup dumplings were a big deal in NYC, but impossible to find in Philly. Dim Sum Garden is small, bright, and Ikea-filled. The two employees that are always there are SUPER friendly. They love hearing compliments and take an empty dish away with a smile, knowing they've filled your hungry little belly with good food. When I first started going here in 08, there would maybe be 1 other table dining in. Last night, every table was full! Get the steamed juicy buns (duh) with crab & pork, a side of bok choy, and any other dumplings or the noodle dishes. Don't waste precious stomach real estate on rice dishes! The handmade noodles are awesome, albeit a bit on the greasy side. I always get them with "no soup" aka dry noodles because I get my fill of soup from the juicy buns. Nibble a little hole on top, slurp out broth as loud and obnoxious as possible to garner a laugh from your dining partner, put a splash of dumpling sauce on top, and gobble up the dumpling. Repeat 8 times (that's how many dumplings you get per order), eat some noodles, get reeeeeally full, pay your insanely cheap bill, and go home happy. PS - thanks Craig LaBan! Who would have thought.
(5)
Phil T.
Tread warily, for navigating the path towards Xiao Long Bao, the dumpling delight, requires both diligence and daring-do. Should you manage to find the camouflaged cafe hidden in the shadow of the 11th Street tunnel; if you muster the courage to enter one of the dingiest dine-ins you have ever beheld; and even if you dare to order Xiao Long Bao, the bite-sized bun that bites back, you must still master one more challenge in order to avoid what would only be an "epic fail." The eating. Grab quickly and the dumplings will split open. Consume them whole and your mouth will be burned. Let them cool and the dumplings grow inedible. However, if you delicately place one these savory, soup-filled pork dumplings in a spoon, nip off the top, blow on the soup, wait just a moment, suck out the soup one sip at a time, and then devour the remnants, you will have experienced what can only be considered one of the finest dumplings in the city. Grab a few trusty comrades and split a few orders of these fun yet frugal delicacies. Do not let the location fool you; Dim Sum Garden is a palace.
(4)
Richard P.
Food is really cheap. The rice was very dry. The place lacks decor. Come here if you are looking for a cheap meal.
(4)
Tala T.
Several weeks ago the Count and I along with a few friends went on the Free Tours by Foot Chinatown Food Tour. We walked through Philadelphia's small yet historic Chinatown stopping by at the best spots for quick eats. The tour ended with a sit down lunch at Dim Sum Garden. I have walked by this spot without bothering to look twice only because it is under the convention center overpass and I wrongfully must have assumed that it could not be good given it's dark location. Wrong! Now onto the actual dumplings: our tour guide knew a thing or two about dumplings and ordered a few rounds for the table. I have never had a soup dumpling (xiao long bao) and found it to be such a treat. There is an entire process to having a soup dumpling. You must gently place one in your spoon. Place a hole at the top to allow the hot steam to cool off and place the whole thing in your mouth without spilling the contents on the inside. Essentially it's soup wrapped up in dough served with their own special dumpling sauce. Okay. That was great. Whats next? Next was the Shanghai siu mai- sticky rice and minced pork dumplings. These were also a first for me and were a real treat. Sticky rice with small bits of pork all mixed with a delicious sauce and beautifully bundled up into a dumpling. We also had the prawn dumplings, pork and chive dumplings and many other varieties of dumplings. One was better than the next. Best part is you know its fresh and handmade as you can see through the back counter where all the action is happening. It's cheap dumpling at its best. Don't be put off by the neon lights and interior facade. This is a place where you can satisfy your dumpling cravings not to go people watching (unless you enjoy watching suffering panhandlers and other characters on 11th street).
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jenny L.
I've been trying to find a place for shanghai soup buns, because the best ones I've had so far were in NY's Chinatown, Shanghai Cafe has some pretty good soup buns. Well, I've finally found the place! Dim Sum Garden isn't in the best location ever and the interior decoration might as well look like a regular cafe in HK/China (which does give you that feel of being in a cafe in another country). But they've got pretty good soup buns! We just tried some small plates and an order of broccoli and chicken which isn't exactly what you would think it'd to be. They marinate their chicken with star anise and other flavors. So don't think white chicken breast because it's not. Got an order of the regular pork soup buns, an order of the crab meat and scallion pancakes. The pork ones were better and the scallion pancakes were a bit on the salty side. Other than that, this place is fulfilling and cheap. A hole in the city, but quite a popular place. I would definitely come back for the soup buns since I now know a location that makes them fresh!
(4)Sandro C.
Noodles and dumplings are made on premises. All fresh, authentic and highly tasty.
(5)Liz B.
I originally wrote a 5 star review back in 11/2011, but I have officially removed it. I will admit that I used to love this place because their pork juicy buns are delicious,however the service that I have received the past two visits was horrible. Service here was never great to begin with, but it was tolerable until my last two visits. Tonight I went with a group of friends and we had to ask for water more than three times before getting any. One person at my table was told to go get her own drink - in a very rude tone. Our plates were dropped onto the table. On week days when there is less of a crowd, I have had better service, but still. This is unacceptable - I don't care how busy you are - it's no excuse for treating your reoccurring customers like trash. I will never recommend nor step into this place again no matter how much I crave their juicy buns.
(1)MC M.
You could walk right past Dim Sum Garden. It's small, located under a creepy overpass kind of thing, filled with cheap plastic tables and chairs. You could walk right past it and never know ecstasy. Dim Sum Garden is the best, affordable dim sum in Philly. I SAID IT. D and I strolled in, starving, and were promptly attended by our very sweet, very thorough waitress. It took us a few moments, but we ordered the juicy pork buns ("soup dumplings"), the bok choy, the shrimp noodles and the scallion pancake. On the waitress's recommendation, we also bought the seasonal mooncake. The mooncake is KILLER. It comes in this really succulent flaky dough. The meat is ground very fine and is hard to describe -- it has a distinctly earthy flavor while remaining really juicy. The juicy buns (about 5$ for eight) are fucking phenomenal, the end. Great flavor, great amount of liquid, beautiful little dumpling shells. I personally enjoy the bok choy (maybe 4$ish?) and their ocean of oil. The scallion pancake is GREAT (2.50$, to fuel your addiction), put some dumpling sauce and nom away. I was less impressed with the shrimp noodles (5$ something): the noodles were fresh and chewy, but I think the dish needs a more robust meat (duck, pork, beef) to really come together. We got all of that for a grand total of 24$. We were stuffed. We rolled out, singing Dim Sum Garden's praises. So, go get it, Philly.
(5)francis d.
I'm pretty surprised at the lack of dim sum spots in philly's chinatown. After seeing all praise this place was receiving I thought it would be top notch. I was wrong, this place is mediocre at best. Me and my group of five had the scallion pancake, siu mai ( which had rice in it, which was meh), pork and chive pan fried dumplings, and the soup dumplings (forgot what they were called). Nothing really stood out, maybe the dumplings with soup inside. I admit I am pretty spoiled since I'm from southern california originally. But for all the high reviews.... I dont get it.
(3)Steve E.
Get the soup dumplings! Pretty delicious. When you are done getting soy sauce and soup all over the front of your face and shirt/blouse, dive right into the scallion pancakes. Both of these dishes are the best things this restaurant offers. Definitely go there for those two things
(4)Cher B.
I've had shanghai dumplings at Joe's in NY and Chinese restaurants in Sf...this one in Philly was MOST DELICIOUS. The dumplings were bigger and meatier and hit the spot. I'm almost ashamed to say that I enjoyed this meal better than the 2 cheesesteak shops I visited, which were the main reasons I came to Philly. We also ordered the fried dumplings, which were also DELICIOUS. We came in for a mid day snack and these two items were exactly what we needed. Also, the service here was awesome. Food came out fast and everyone who worked there was SO NICE. (I'm not used to this--in SF Chinese restaurants, 98% of service is pretty terrible). Excellent food & service- if I were in Philly again, I might skip the cheesesteak and get some dumplings. Never thought I would ever say that.
(5)Connie F.
The crab meat shao long ton ( soup dumpling) bao was delicous!!
(4)Emily W.
Location and bright fluorescent lights aside, this place is worth a visit. It's now my go-to for steamed vegetable buns AND steamed vegetable dumplings. Not only do they not skimp on the fillings and have tons of veggies, they are super flavorful and fresh tasting. We got a lot of food for our table of four and my favorites (other than the veggie stuff) were the pan fried pork dumplings and the pork dumpling and noodle soup. The pork wasn't too greasy and it was moist and gingery. I wasn't a huge fan of the pickled cabbage and pork noodles- a little stinky and funky tasting- but the other people (Asians) in my party liked them. I also liked that they had sauteed Chinese broccoli, but unfortunately, it was probably the greasiest item we got. They have a slim dessert selection so I recommend going to one of the Chinatown bakeries to satisfy your sweet tooth. The service was super-quick and friendly. And the price- cheap. They're a great alternative if you find yourself waiting in too long of a line for dim sum in the Chinatown area.
(4)Nan S.
my worry is there are too much pork fat in the dumplings (all kinds). I am very wary of animal fat in general, although I know a little fat is required for the good taste. Priced very reasonable.
(3)Danielle P.
I think that the food at Dim Sum Garden is exquisite. Every time I go there, I get the pan fried juicy buns and tofu curry soup for $10. Though the restaurant is located under a bridge, the food is still better than anything you'll get at a Chinese take-out place.
(4)Vicky T.
I have actually already written a review for this place but unfortunately Yelp Team took it off because they (or someone) found it offensive even though I was greatly humiliated by the people working in this restaurant. I probably did use some bad words when I was very mad about my experience. I apologize for that. But I'm going to write this review to speak up about my bad experience there again. This time I'll be as courteous as possible. So the first thing I did when my friend and I entered the restaurant was to go use the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom, a guy working there just kept banging on the door and yelling at me. I was very certain that he wasn't a customer because I saw him working behind the counter. And I was very certain I was not in anyone's way because I didn't see anyone else waiting to use the bathroom. I was already feeling very humiliated at that point. After I left the bathroom, I walked over to my friend and saw that she was very upset. Apparently while she was waiting for me, the lady working there kept asking her to order food. My friend didn't know about Chinese food as well as I do so she actually didn't know what to order. But that lady just kept pressuring her. She also overheard the people working there bad mouthing me and complaining that I was taking too much time in the bathroom. First of all, there was no one else waiting for the bathroom. Second of all, I was seriously not taking that long. And it's natural for girls to take longer time than guys. They were speaking in Chinese. But my friend is Chinese-American so she does understand a lot of Chinese. I was going to order some Shanghai Pork buns from them before I stepped in the restaurant because Shanghai Pork buns have always been one of my favorite food. But both my friend and I were very upset about what happened so we decided to leave. The lady saw us and screamed at us "are you just going to leave?! Seriously?! You're not going to order anything?!". She was acting all mean and rude so we were basically forced to order some pork buns to go. Then I heard her saying to her coworker in Chinese "these girls are so shameless!". Apparently she didn't know that we both knew Chinese. I was very very mad at her! I confronted her afterward. She immediately changed her attitude and started to suck up to us after she realized we understood everything she said. But this feeling of humiliation and anger I got from them stayed strong in my mind. Their pork buns are pretty good I admit. But their customer services are too terrible. It's more than terrible. I have never been humiliated by restaurants workers before this. And I didn't do anything wrong! They simply do not have any idea what customer service is! Even though it is their job to serve! Some of you might argue for them that it was just a misunderstanding. They did it because they thought I was just there to use their bathroom. But they didn't have to keep banging on the bathroom door while I was in it and yell at us. And they shouldn't have said all those rude things about us behind our back. Most importantly, as their customers we should have the rights to decide whether we want their food or not! Not being forced into ordering from them. Apparently to these people all that matters is making money. They don't have the slightest respect for their customers! I don't care that their pork buns are pretty good anymore. I will never go back there again!
(1)Nancy L.
3.5 stars. Decent XLB for Philly but if you've had them anywhere else, these are somewhat disappointing. There wasn't much soup inside and it was a little bland. I also like them with the slivers of julienned ginger this place didn't provide. The pan fried dumplings are cooked better and you can get them in a variety of fillings. The scalion pancakes were golden brown, crispy and tasted pretty good. Chicken and broccoli over rice is better at panda express. The chicken was oddly flavored. Seafood chow mein was better. It came with mussles, shrimp, fish cakes and the noodles were nicely soft, thick and chewy.
(3)Sylvia C.
I don't know what drew me to the place. I had not read it's review on yelp. I just walked in out of the blue. Must have been the neon lights at the entrance that hypnotized me because anyone who didn't know anything about this place would never walk in. Yes, the decor is that cheesy. For those of you who know what I am talking about, it looks like one of those Chinese-run places that serve fried chicken and donuts. I wasn't particular about what to order so I just got whatever the waitress recommended. Crab xiao long bao, zha jiang noodles, and marinated cold cucumber. I was quite surprised that there was authentic shanghainese cuisine on the menu. Off to a good start. The crab xiao long bao is really juicy /brothy. 5 stars. The skin was perfect. Thin enough to not be doughy but strong enough to not break and hold all the broth. It's also a great deal at $5.75 for 8. It was way better than Shanghsi Joe's in NYC. Now the bad. The zha jiang mein tasted like crap, not how it is suppose to taste. Zha Jiang is made from black bean sauce and sweet dark sauce. This tasted like Chinese 5 spice version of spaghetti bolognese. The marinated cucumber was not what I had expected but it was decently good. It seemed more like a stir fry dish. In summary, worth a try. Don't let the bus alley scare you away. I am headed there again tomorrow to try the onion scallion pancake. Update. The scallion pancake is thin, crispy, and greasy. Good, but I will probably die from a heart attack if I eat too much of it. The scallion flavor is fragrant and I can taste it. I would give a B+.
(4)Joe B.
Vicky: You're too whiney. We're not here to hear about your awkward encounters. All we care about is the food. Sometimes, it's all perception. Maybe the owners there perceived you as snotnoses just there to use the bathroom. Deal with it like an adult instead of sounding like a whiney crybaby. While I've had a few bum steers there (why it only got a 3 star from me), they do some things very well. The pork juicy bun is superb. I've always found the people there, who appear to be largely family members, to be friendly and helpful. Most others that have gone there have liked it, which diminishes Vicky's credibility. Maybe the problem is just Vicky.
(3)Vivian L.
Always pass by this place because of the down store front. But one day decided to try this place after reading the reviews from yelp. The Xiao Long Bao is a must try, juicy and super hot. The service is always fast. Downside: ask for the sweet sticky rice and sweet glutinous rice dumpling in sweet rice wine , the server said both take too long to make, seweed salad: sold out. Come back another day, and server says the same thing again. If they can't make those dishes please don't list on the menu. Overall, ordering their dumplings and other prepared fast cooked food gives you less trouble to deal with the servers.
(4)Alan L.
Don't judge the place by what it looks like, the food here is very tasty! Also it's a sit down restaurant i.e. you don't pick your dishes off of carts. The xiao long bao are delicious and very soupy!
(5)April D.
I think that this place is a little overhyped. But there doesn't seem to be many dim sum places in Philadelphia, so I will give them credit for that. This place does have pretty good soup dumplings. But the har gow and the siu mai were not to my liking. The shrimps in the har gow were tiny, not plump and juicy, like I'm use to. It was like there was one or two tiny shrimps in a har gow wrapper that fell apart so fast because it wasn't crafted very well. I'm not use to having so much rice in a siu mai, so much that I hardly noticed the meat. To me siu mai has always been very juicy and meaty. And both items were just a little overpriced. But I'm from San Francisco, and dim sum is super cheap since there are so many dim sum spots in competition with each other. Despite all that I really like the sauces. They saved the day. The ginger sauce and the dumpling sauce are my favorite. They really fix up the taste of the har gow and the siu mai, or probably any other dumpling you aren't fond of. If I was ever in Philly again, I would mostly likely go there to buy any dim sum even if it was average tasting, and I would douse it in one of the sauces.
(3)Roy C.
Great Dim Sum. Soup Buns are a must have, hot and tasty! Service was good, eager to please. Ignore the cafe style interior and just enjoy fine dim sum.
(4)Tu-van L.
Solid option for xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Located at the underpass not far away from Reading Terminal Market, this small restaurant looks more like your take-out Chinese place. Nevertheless the menu has what you need. They told us they had three types of soup dumplings but the pan-fried one didn't taste like what you expect it to be like (the others were delicious though). Great option for comfort Chinese on a cold day.
(4)Travis L.
A little surprise near the Chinatown area. Hole in the wall place (under a tunnel of all places!) managed often by a single server (yeah, service can be a little... curt and inconsistent) Really quality soup dumplings and fried dumplings for a great price. For canto folks like myself, it's definitely shanghai-style dim sum (the siu mai is stuffed with glutinous rice as I discovered). Really like their noodle dishes, as well, especially the pork with sauce one. They definitely have the hand-drawn, homemade texture to them and for that price, I am absolutely not complaining.
(4)Peter G.
Great, tasty, inexpensive, and authentic dim sum. The interior is nothing special at all, but maybe that's become part of its appeal. It isn't trying to focus on fancy service, just delicious dishes (and, admittedly, quick service).
(4)Shivon R.
Came here with a friend who had just moved into the Chinatown area. We were craving some Dim Sum, and this place seemed to have garnered a lot of attention. I had been warned by other reviewers that the place was located in a somewhat sketchy spot, and boy were they right. I felt I was entering a troll's lair as I came up to the restaurant. Fortunately, the food more than makes up for the lack of decor. My friend and I split an order of the famous xian long bao (soup dumplings), fried vegetable dumplings, and scallion pancakes. It was my first time trying soup dumplings, and, I won't lie, it was kind of a hot mess. I tried daintily poking at the top with chopsticks and sucking out the soup, but that was just not doing it for me. Next I tried placing the dumpling on the spoon, taking a big chomp out of it, and then sipping the soup dribble out of the spoon. Either way, I still ended up squirting soup everywhere. It was definitely worth the trouble though. So tasty! The vegetable dumplings were so-so, nothing to write home about. The scallion pancakes were nicely flavored, but a little bit on the oily side for me. I also ended up ordering a glass of their homemade iced tea (I could actually see them making it in the kitchen), and I will say that was probably the best iced tea I've ever had. Super refreshing without being too sweet.
(4)Tanon T.
The soup dumplings are pretty and fair for the price. It's really busy here so you should get here quick.
(4)Sonal T.
Excellent food quality. I just feel they should work on the ambiance.
(3)Stefanie A.
I crave Dim Sum Garden soup dumplings weekly. And I eat them weekly. I've had a few other things (bok choy, spicy noodles with pork, weird mushroom shumai) but I always come here for dumplings and am never disappointed with them. It's a dive under the convention center, so the location and ambiance is severely lacking, but who cares when you can get tender, juicy, pork dumplings filled with perfectly-seasoned soup for $6? It's a fun place to go with friends, bring some wine, and chow for cheap. or take 'em home--they heat up great. My bf's a fan of the pork and crabmeat ones, so get one or get them both. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Tanti L.
Service is not great, but what do you expect? its chinatown, under the scary tunnel looking place, and its damn cheap. Their xiao long bao overrides every negative things about this place. you come there to eat and bail. u'll then find ur zen.
(5)Matt J.
We wanted to eat in Chinatown for lunch and this place had some good reviews and we always love good Dim Sum. And we were happy overall with this choice. It is a small (somewhat run down) place. But the server was happy to help and give us some recommendations and explain a few things where we needed some help. The soup dumplings were very good and well liked around the table. Can't remember what all we got but was a table full and all were pretty good.
(3)Kit K.
The best juicy dumplings in the city!!! Should to try cold marinated cucumbers. I couldn't say the cafe's exterior and interior absorb all your attention, but that worth to try everything here. :)
(5)Tim P.
I had some time to kill today once I got off work. So I headed into Chinatown to checkout Dim Sum Garden, since its been one of my bookmarks for awhile. I ordered the pork buns and spring rolls for lunch. Even though I thought that all of the hype surrounding these pork buns would amount to nothing more than a novelty, these buns turned out to be well worth the ride to get them. Thankfully I read enough reviews to know how to not burn my mouth with the broth inside. I could have eaten much more, but what I had satisfied my appetite for the afternoon. I'll have to plot my next lunch here soon. Not many seats available inside at noon. But I'd just as happy taking the order to go.
(4)Chelsea B.
Get the soup dumplings and the scallion pancakes. You will seriously not regret it! I've never had soup dumplings before and WOW were they delicious. The pork and soup filling is only made better by the different sauces that send them over the top. This place doesn't scream classy when you're walking up to it, but the service was friendly and helpful when we didn't know what to order. The two of us split pork soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, and a type of chicken potstickers all for under $15 (and they did prefer we used cash with a bill that small, so be prepared) and it was enough food that we could barely finish it all. I felt a little self conscious going in and not knowing what to expect, but there are all types of people in there (tourists too) so you don't have to worry about looking out of place. I live in the Midwest, and I dream about these dumplings.
(5)Dharam P.
Skip the fried rice or "traditional Chinese" food. Get the chive soup and dumplings.
(4)Vince S.
Despite being in the diviest of dive locations, the food is tasty and priced fairly. Also, try not to pay attention to the name. I'm not even sure if they have actual dim sum dishes on their menu (haha), In fact, I think they might be more known for their dumplings. I'm no connoseiur of the soup dumplings, but I could not tell the difference between this place and Din Tai Fung (the one in LA). Decent condiments to accompany dumplings also. Plenty of choices ranging from American Chinese to more authentic dishes. Service is ok, but one of the servers is a little on the grumpy/surly side.
(4)Mina L.
It was the first time my boyfriend and I had stopped by here after being recommended here by a friend to try the juicy buns. The place has terrible decor, wobbly chairs, dirty chopsticks, and okay service. As soon as I walked in, the two hispanic cooks stared directly at me and smiled/laughed... which is kind of creepy especially for my first time here. After being sat down, we eventually chose our dishes to try: the Shanghai juicy buns, pork fried rice, and the fried chives/pork dumplings. Out of all of these, the best dish was the juicy buns. It was the best part of the visit and possibly one of the only high points. The fried dumplings could have been more crunchy and less soggy. It was only fried on one side. The WORST dish was the pork fried rice. The serving size was small, tasted too salty, had very little pork (mostly little balls of overcooked meat), and the rice was hard.. o__o Overall, 3 stars for the juicy buns and fried dumplings and -2 stars for decor, fried rice, and service. We would like to try them again for their noodles and more juicy buns!!
(3)Donald J.
What happened to the Dim Sum Gardn I usd to know? Ate here about a year ago. The soup noodle was exquisite. But not this time. Had the Prok and Crab and an order of the scallion pancake. Totally disappointed! The soup was bland nd the pancake a messy grease affair. Are there better days to eat here than others? This is a Sunday.
(2)Aggie V.
I went into this little gem for dinner today, and boy, oh boy!!! I'm sold! I got chicken and broccoli, which is absolutely THE best I've ever tasted. Next time, I'll have to try the dumplings!!!
(4)Jeanny C.
This is my second time coming here. First time was really late at night, so I felt the food was left over from the morning. This time, I came on a lunch hour during the weekdays. The food was much better, but still didn't meet up to my standards. My friend and I ordered 2 hot and sour soup, turnip cake, pan fried chicken dumplings, and crab meat & pork xiao long bao. The turnip cake was not the usual traditional one, so I didn't like it as much. Not because I wanted the traditional ones, but simply because it wasn't better. The hot and sour soup is pretty good, they add tomatoes compared to traditional ones, which I actually like better. The xiao long bao was definitely below standard (compared to Shanghai Cafe or Joe's Shanghai in NYC). I liked the chicken dumplings, it was good. The meal came out to be around $28 plus tip, I think that's pretty ok. Not sure if I want to return, I don't hate it, but I also don't love it either. So very mixed feeling.
(3)Vernon D.
Want dumplings, They got a smorgasbord of dumplings. All of which that i have tried are delicious. What is even better is getting to admire the craftsmanship of the art of dumpling making when the staff are seated in the dining area creating the little morsels of delight. Overall this is a great spot for fast food dim sum, and well i have to say i delight in the duck gizzard and duck tongue in salt sauce. Not my spot for Noodle soup, but its fair in taste and quality. great for a pit stop after shopping at the Terminal.
(4)Michael P.
You know that scene at the beginning of Blade Runner where Gaff catches up with Deckard at the chinese noodle stand? The first time I ever went to Dim Sum Garden, that popped right into my mind. Visiting here is the epitome of finding a diamond in the rough. Its a former donut shop tucked under the Hilton parking garage, with the chinatown buses lined up outside. The giant plate glass windows are lined with neon, and a when you peek inside it looks like a typical chinese takeout place. Once you enter, you'll find an amazing little restaurant with fantastic food. The shanghai buns (Xiao long bao) are a welcome departure from normal dumplings. Once you master the art of eating them, they become a welcome treat. The Siu mai are delicious, and the scallion pancake is nice, crisp, and flaky. The brisket noodles are terrific, but I much prefer the stewed eel noodles, as sushi has made me love eel. Service is pretty good, sometimes it can feel like they've forgotten you a little bit, but generally they'll keep things moving and top off your water when you need it. Sometimes there can be a language barrier, depending on your server. Overall, its a place that is worth a visit, to try something different than the chinese you're used to.
(5)K. A. N. A. K.
I mis-remembered the name of this restaurant, even though I've eaten here at least 50 times. I posted my original review and an update (since I've been here 50 times). 4 stars for brisket noodle soup and Shanghai shumai--it's made especially for lazies like myself, since the soup and dipping sauce did not require any seasoning adjustment and the brisket was fairly meaty (and not bony or gristly). I don't know if Shanghai shumai is actually a regional dimsum, but it has sticky rice with bits of mushroom and pork I've always previously encountered in a banana leaf, only in this case it comes in a dumpling wrapper. 5 stars for the pork juicy buns and scallion pancakes. (Don't call your juicy buns order "soup buns," unless you like hot salty liquids squirted in your mouth AS A FOOD. I'm not going to judge your other activities.) I love the chewy pan-fry at the bottom of each soft bun. The dipping sauce is perfect, as ever. I think the primary waitress is charming (she very tactfully chided my boyfriend that he and his coworker hadn't eaten lunch there in a while, even though the food is consistently good).
(4)Heather B.
To be honest, I'm (more than) a little baffled by the ratings for this place. Normally Yelp doesn't steer me wrong, but this time, I was sorely disappointed. My mother was in town for the Flower Show, and because she lives in an area where she can't get dim sum, we decided to come here. Maybe I've been spoiled by so many of the great restaurants in Chinatowns around the country, and perhaps I should admit that I can't stand Americanized Chinese food, but our meal here was pretty terrible. Everything we had - some sort of dumpling, scallion pancakes, and sauteed bok choy - was tremendously greasy. The bok choy came out drenched in a puddle of oil. I ended up with grease stains on my hoodie from whatever it was that came out of the dumpling. We had wanted shrimp dumplings, but they were out of them. My father is on a severely restricted diet, and this was my mother's chance to eat a good meal of food she can't have on his diet, and I feel guilty that, out of all of the fantastic places in Philly and in Philly's Chinatown, this was what she got. Womp womp.
(2)Nicole W.
For what it is, it's awesome! My husband and I are from out of town and love dim sum. We can't get it back home (in the sticks) so we always look for an authentic place when we travel. No need for fancy tables or ambience; we're all about the food. Bring on the dives and spare me the formalities! We spent $20 (not including tip), and were stuffed! Yes, $20 fed us both for dinner! It was so good but we were amazed we finished it all. They bring you ice water right away. The plastic tables and chairs were clean and comfortable. The AC was much appreciated during one of the four heat waves so far in Philly this year. The service was attentive but we're also not shy to ask for another fork or more water, for example. Our waiter made great recommendations too. Everyone was very pleasant. Shrimp dumplings- hubby ate those and liked them but didn't rave. Juicy pork buns- dumplings with pork and soup inside- their specialty and a must try! Pork noodles with sauce- fantastic and somehow tasted better with every bite. Chive pancake- wicked good too! A nice alternative texture to the rest of our meal. Not too greasy, great flavor. Another reviewer mentioned a situation where part of their group was served and eating before the others' food arrived or even ordered. I may have witnessed a similar situation at an adjacent table. Three of the four men were eating and seemed to be finishing up when the fourth man's food arrived. However, I was not a party to this group so I don't know the entire situation. Our experience was very enjoyable and we may even go back again for lunch before we leave despite all the wonderful dining options this city has to offer. They do accept credit cards but prefer cash.
(5)J L.
I've been here dozens of times. It's one of those hole in the wall places. I was very weary of eating here the first time, but so glad I did! Because it's awesome. Best soup dumplings you can get in Philly. The staff are always great and it's inexpensive too!
(5)Christine L.
After seeing a solid four stars for this place and having never tried it even though I'm always in Chinatown, we decided to give it a go. After giving it a try, I guess I realize once again why I've never bothered to come here. The place is right under the passageway going into Chinatown from 11th street, which is not in the usual vicinity of where we normally go for Chinatown. It is a bit dingy if I do say so myself, but I can also see how it may be "traditional" in terms of having an atmosphere similar to a small cafe/restaurant in China. We ordered the pork XLB, pan-fried pork dumplings, and a plate of pickled cabbage and pork noodles. The soup in the XLB wasn't bad. What needed improvement on was probably the quality of the skin, which was a bit sticky and doughy, and not as thin as it could be. We also wished that they would've given us small sauce dishes and ginger for dipping, because the bottles kept squirting in all the wrong directions (that's what she said). But for what the place is, I guess we couldn't ask for more. The pan-fried dumplings were your average, pan-fried dumplings, good but nothing special. The noodle plate was our least favorite. It was too salty for our liking, but tasted a lot better when we re-heated it the second time around at home. I wouldn't order that again though, if I ever do return here.
(2)Lily T.
Their soup dumplings and scallion pancake aren't extraordinary. You can probably find better/comparable in NYC, but seeing as it's the only place I've found in Philadelphia that serves them, that in itself deserves five stars. Important tips to remember when you eat soup dumplings: 1. Wait a few mins for them to cool unless you want to burn your tongue; 2. Put the whole thing in your mouth so it won't squirt all over the place (that's what he said?) You will, of course, be avoiding all the mistakes that I made on my first trip there. Dim Sum Garden's potential to flourish as a restaurant is stifled by its unfortunate location. Within the hour that we were there for lunch, there are three unpleasant encounters. First, a homeless man came in to solicit change from each table. Next, another person (who presumably just got off a bus), against the will of the staff, entered to borrow their restroom without making a purchase, which caused a semi-obnoxious commotion. Then, a woman asked to sit at one of their tables to eat the food she bought from outside. I can't help but think that people just bully Dim Sum Garden because they know they can get away with it. Since Reading Terminal is around the corner, people could easily go there for all three aforementioned tasks (panhandling, use of restroom, a free place to sit), but they didn't. For their own sake, I hope Dim Sum Garden either relocates or hires a security officer.
(3)Lily Z.
My 3rd time here and this place is always packed. Negatives: Cheap decor along with cheap tables and chairs. They have 1 server and no busser. My table wasn't properly cleaned this time. On top of that, I'm sharing my table with a party of 2. Theres not enough room on this table for all our food. If theres lots of people waiting, expect to wait outside. Positives: The food is good but I haven't ordered anything outside of the shanghai buns and siu mai. One of the best places for shanghai buns in Chinatown. Overall: -1 star for your cheap decor. -1 star for your service (hire another server or a busser, you have enough business to support him/her) -1 star for forcing me to share a table. Your food is good but to run a great restaurant, you need more than that. Also, they only accept CC for $20+
(2)Carlo D.
I didn't like the food at all and felt sick afterwards and I love all Asian food so for me to give a single star it's true
(1)Dave M.
With a large group of about 25 I tried everything. Just about everything they sent out was damned amazing. Extremely fresh. The waitresses were attentive to tea and keeping the meals coming. For about $16 a person we had what I would call an endless buffet of different things which is a great value. Try this place out for sure!
(5)Adrienne C.
Good, solid Shanghai-nese food. I've been looking for somewhere like this ever since we moved to Philly - very happy. The goods: XLB (they are HUGE and super filled with fatty soupy goodness), pork and chive steamed dumplings (they taste "almost" as good as my mother-in-law's...so homey), shen jian bao (more flavorful than most that I've had) The oks: jia jia mien (noodles were good but sauce was kinda meh) and the onion pancake...it's uber thin/crispy, while we prefer ours more thick and flaky. Yeah, it looks like crap on the outside and it's in an underpass...but honestly, to me that is a sign of a good Asian restaurant. It's super cheap - for 6 dishes split between 4 people, the bill came out to $33.
(4)Steph V.
I skipped out on the Philly cheesesteak experience and settled to satisfy my dim sum craving. Thanks to the handy Yelp app (get it if you don't already do!) I found this grimy gem under a smelly overpass/bridge thing gasping for a sliver of light but offering food stuffs to feed a hungry army. After much consideration, I ordered the soup wonton thingys that everyone had recommended. Funny thing was that our server wasn't able to explain much of the menu. I'm more used to an a la carte kind of dim sum that ordering felt foreign. I don't recommend the fried chicken. Although it was crispy on the outside, the inside was dusty -- as in void of all flavor -- like menopause. And this is just an FYI for all you people who come to Philly for the first time and decide to venture to high rated Yelp restaurants in the boondocks. DO NOT GO ALONE. While we were eating, a cracked out teenager walked in the doorway and was staring at me while swaying back and forth. It was scary! Then, a couple minutes later, he came in and sat at the table behind me and watched us eat. Ugh...I was so uncomfortable. This may not always happen here, but I just had to share that. Overall, I liked the food and brought the food back to the hotel. Nothing to brag about though.
(3)Jack B.
Best deal in the city for a cheap, quick go-to lunch or dinner. The first time I tried this place for lunch I came back later that day for dinner. The steamed pork juicy buns are phenomenal.
(5)Michael P.
Very weak, If your an actual Dim Sum fan, I would definitley not reccomend this place. Its small, the selection of food is not that good & the food itself was pretty low quality. The Shumai was terrible, and the service was not good. Looking for quality dim sim? go somehwere else.
(1)Dalisai N.
Plenty of selection for soups and other fare. The juicy buns are pretty good but I found I did not love them as much as other yelpers - probably because I prefer a lighter broth. Service was good to - this is the kind of place where you will be seated, served water and asked for your order within moments of walking through the door. Good place for a quick lunch if you're in the area and don't need a lot of ambiance/scenic location.
(3)Marina C.
Read the great reviews and I haven't had Xiao long bao in so long, I had to go before I left Philly. My last meal before my train back to NY and yeah I chose this weird looking place... My friend was all grumpy that day and didn't feel like eating anything at the Reading Terminal Market. Him not eating, there's definitely something wrong. Soup fixes everything! We ordered the juicy pork buns, scallion pancake, fried dumplings, and a beef brisket noodle soup. Their mango smoothie was really too sweet for me, but the hot tea was nice. It was so cold outside! I never dress for the weather.. Anyway... Pork dumplings were pretty good. They were really flavorful. Joe's Shanghai's dumplings aren't really better. I think I prefer these since I waited for the dumplings to cool a bit before burning myself and there was still plenty of yummy soup inside. And yes... fat gives it flavor. I've never ordered scallion pancakes at a chinese restaurant before. Crispy and light. Good, but nothing special. The beef brisket noodle soup was huge. It's easily for 2 people. The noodles tasted really light and fresh. The beef was flavorful. Probably the best beef brisket noodle soup I've had, not that I order it too much. We managed to eat practically everything for only $25. That's insane. We were so full, I felt like we needed to walk it off, all the way to 30th St.. Now that was really crazy. lol
(4)Jess K.
Yum yum yummmm. A Chinese coworker brought us all here on our last day in Philly for work. She ordered the food in Chinese so it was a big surprise when it all started arriving. My favorite thing was the scallion pancakes but I also really liked the pork break type rolls she ordered. I didn't LOVE the mushy dumpling type things with seafood in them. The noodles with seafood were delicious. The food was really greasy and I felt vaguely ill after lunch but it was worth it. We all ate as much as we could fit into our stomachs for $10 each including tip. Can't beat that!
(4)Ilana R.
LOVE this place . Delicious food, extremely friendly and helpful service by all staff, always asking if you would like to try new things and recommend - and its' always wonderful! Their soup dumplings, bok choy, scallion pancakes, soups, all are delicious, cheap and fast! Nothing better for a cold day
(5)michael G.
Hi i'm emmett i'm 9.The dumplings rule! They have really good scallion pancakes. my brother liked it a lot and he's only 5! The best is the dumplings but they also have "chicken on stick" i really don't no why its called that. I'm ethan and i'm 5 and i like all the food except the scallion pancake.
(4)Elizabeth S.
We ended up here because the Hilton Inn was right across the street. My bf ordered Shu Mai but it wasn't what he expected. I think he said it was Cantonese style not Mandarin or vice versa. I wish we tried other things but I was pretty full and he just wanted something small. There aren't really enough tables in this tiny place. Overall, it was ok clean
(3)Catherine K.
Ever since Ian and I tried soup dumplings for the first time in Singapore, we've seeked these delicious things everywhere we go. We found a fantastic place in San Fran and it is our mission to find a place in Philly. I had heard that Dim Sum garden was the place to go for xiao long bao and for the most part I was satisfied. I'm not sure if they make the wrapping homemade but it was a little thicker than the traditional ones that I've had. Despite the thicker wrapping, I enjoyed the flavors of the dumpling and will definitely visit the place again. The staff was incredibly nice, helpful, and quick to serve us our food. I will continue to search for yummy xiao long bao, but this place will satisfy me for now.
(4)Lisa R.
This is what the DC to Philly Chinatown busses are made for. I will specifically go out of my way to make a day trip to eat here. the Soup Dumplings are THAT good. absolutely out of this world.
(5)Jason L.
Their pork juicy buns are soooo good. Irresistible status. I always make sure I grab some whenever I'm in Chinatown. They're even open late!! Also, I don't like the pork/shrimp ones as much as the pork ones. And none of them taste as good cold as they do warm/hot.
(5)A H.
The single best dish here is #2a. Shanghai Pan Fried Pork Juice Buns 6 pcs. (sheng jian bao). Just doughy enough, crispy charred bottom, porky filling. Possibly the best sheng jian bao I've ever had. I now order this on every trip here. I don't know why people don't rave about this dish more!!! But one order of sheng jian bao is not enough food, so I usually also order something else for a typical lunch. My second favorite dish here is the pork and crab soup dumplings (xiao long bao) everyone else is always raving about (#2. Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns 8 pcs). I think the one with crab is better than the pork-only one. I've also tried the steamed chives & pork dumplings (#6) once. The wrappers came out mushy and overcooked. The filling was fine, but they weren't amazing. I might try the dumplings again, probably pan fried next time. They do take credit cards, but there's a $20 minimum.
(5)Alexandra W.
The last time I had soup dumplings, I was probably about 8. But, I remember them being amazing. Maybe it was because I had them at Joe's Shanghai in NYC, but still, amazing. I got the pork and crabmeat soup dumplings for lunch today from Dim Sum Garden after hearing great things. I was sorely, sorely disappointed. The only crabmeat I spotted was a tiny bit on the top of the dumpling. I don't know if this is standard in soup dumplings, but it wasn't really...soup. The soup was more like the fat that rises to the top of soup. It was pretty viscous, and kind of gross. If this is how soup dumplings usually are, then we can just write this off as me not liking them. The steamed shrimp dumplings were okay. They were kind of mushy. I'll just stick with Ocean Harbor. Sorry.
(1)Jes S.
Things I Liked: - As close to Shanghai soup buns in Philadelphia as I've ever seen. Really really really really tasty. - Shanghai wontons are great! - The service is fantastic. The people are super sweet and attentive and just wonderful. ---- Things I Didn't Like So Much: - Not everything was so tasty. Sadly. And why it's no perfect five stars. The ... I don't know the English name, tofu and greens? A little too greasy, and the tofu wasn't as fresh. And the fried buns weren't all meat insides, but meat and lettuce, less authentic and less tasty.
(4)John C.
I had their xiao long bao(pork only) and scallion pancakes. I loved their scallion pancakes, very nice i must say. Their xiao long bao didn't come out that great though. For a few of them, the dough was undercooked and the dumplings themselves weren't that hot (which may explain the undercooked dough). If they did it right, I would have given it a 4. I actually prefer the dumplings from Sakura Mandarin, which is a few blocks down. The dumplings @ Sakura costs a little more than here, but the taste makes up for it.
(3)Mo P.
5 stars for hole in the wall Shanghai style soup dumplings The steamed soup dumplings are heaven in a steamed basket! The service was quite friendly. The siu mai was fresh and had great flavor and textures. The chive and pork dumplings were right on the money and pan fried to perfection. They also had a new menu item of pan fried soup dumpling with black sesame seeds on top. This was a party in your mouth. There are 3 sauces at the table which mixed together are sublime on all the dumplings. The vinegar is perfect on the soup dumplings. If you've never had soup dumplings remember to eat them while they're hot and put it on the soup spoon and add your favorite sauce on top. Eat it one bite and make sure you don't burn yourself. As for the roast duck over rice.... reminded me of eating in Hong Kong at night time with some greens on the side a little roast duck nicely seasoned with 5 spice powder on the bottom which gets into the white rice that the duck sits on. This place lacks atmosphere and may be considered a hole in the wall by some. I call it a hidden gem and can't wait to go back. The prices at this restaurant are very reasonable and it's BYOB.
(5)Jason T.
Mentally, my image of dim sum is a big dining hall with servers pushing around carts of small dishes from which you can choose whichever plates of food look appetizing. So entering Dim Sum Garden, I was almost unsure whether I had walked into the right restaurant. I took a seat with my friends, and we ordered an array of dishes, they being more knowledgeable about the nuances of dim sum, I simply sat back and waited for the dim sum nom noms to arrive :) The food took a few minutes to come out, so I could tell that it was freshly prepared. And I would be reminded that it came straight out of the steamer: I put an entire soup dumpling in my mouth and with the first bite immediately scalded my entire mouth! There was no cold water to temper the boiling liquid in my mouth, only hot tea. So after that experience, my taste buds were toast and I couldn't taste anything else in the meal. We asked for cold water, but the server didn't give us any. I did feel woozy afterwards, so I'm pretty sure I did ingest some MSG. The shu mai is a different style than what you may be used to - it's Shanghai shu mai, so it's filled with rice and larger than the small but juicy pork dumplings you may be used to.
(2)John R.
Dim Sum Garden is a good place everyone should try once. The place is called Dim Sum Garden so one may think you should come here and eat dim dum, but the place doesn't serve dim sum. Don't worry though there is something much better on the menu. At Dim Sum Garden, they serve Shanghainese soup dumpings, called xiao long bao. Its the first and second item on the menu. If you don't know what Shanghainese dumplings are, let me explain to you. These aren't your regular dumplings. Each dumping is a little pouch filled with meat but also this rich gelatinous soup. When the dumplings are made, an icecube of stock is also wrapped in there with the meat forming a soup dumpling when it is later steamed. When you eat these dumplings don't just pop them in your mouth. They are piping hot! And don't bite into it spilling the juices all over your shirt and plate. If you do, you just wasted the best part. Instead grab one out, put it on the spoon, bite off a little piece of the skin and slurp the soup out of the dumpling. A little vinegar soy sauce may be added to the dumpling too. Then consume the whole dumpling. Repeat 7 more times, since each basket comes with 8 dumplings. Go to Dim Sum Garden and order the Shanghainese dumplings. There are other items on the menu but I don't think I will ever get around to eating them, except for the scallion pancakes. To my knowledge this is the only place in philly you can get Shanghainese dumplings. If you are familiar with Joe's Shanghai in NYC, this philly equivalent is just as good. I think they're damn good eats and at 5 bucks a basket you can get a great snack anytime of the day.
(4)Jessica R.
My trip to Dim Sum Garden solved a big mystery in my life - soup dumplings! I've heard about them everywhere, but had no idea what they were - turns out I had been eating all them all my life, but know them by their Chinese name - xiao long bao. Just as other yelpers have said, the xiao long bao here are top notch. They're all handmade, and each dumpling is perfectly wrapped. My favorite were the pork and chive, but all of the 3 varieties we had were delicious. We also got scallion pancakes (fine, but not notable), an egg & tomato rice dish (a little too sweet) and a cold noodle dish (basic, but tasty). I would definitely recommend going during the daytime, as the location (under a bridge/in a tunnel type area) is definitely sketchy. Numerous buses also pick up right outside the restaurant so the sidewalk tends to be crowded with people and luggage. It's a random mix of patrons - some people who have definitely sought it out, and others who have wandered in because it's close to the bus stop. In summary, definitely worth the trip, but go with friends, not with a date. It's also super inexpensive - we ordered 6 dishes and paid $11 each! I love that they serve a lot of dim sum type dishes (hence the name, I'm guessing), but in bigger portions and with cheaper prices. The service was also great. =)
(4)Janabelle R.
Great soup dumplings and steamed dumplings. Small place and can get busy sometimes. Pretty good bubble tea as well.
(5)Brittini S.
I love this place! It's the best dim sum in the city and the price is dirt cheap. The pork buns are a must and so is the seafood pancake. You shouldn't go there for the atmosphere but the food is authentic and always packed with Chinese locals... a good sign for sure! If you have a dim sum craving, this is the place!
(5)Viraj P.
Fine, but my mind was not blown. The chicken feet came out dry and unseasoned, the "chicken on a stick" appetizer was served without any accompaniment, and the tofu soup was super greasy. The shrimp and chicken dumplings were standard. Some of the dishes were hot while others were served tepid at best. I was really sad I couldn't eat the soup dumplings so many have raved about because they have pork in them :( The best thing about this place was the sauces in the middle of the table- the ginger vinegar and the dumpling sauce were deeeelicious! Now if only I didn't need them to make my food wonderful :/
(3)Paul C.
I really wish I could give 3.5 here, because that's what the rating really should be. If you come here, JUST get the dumplings; any variation of the dumpling ranges from good to amazing. The shanghai soup dumpling is the star here.....a good complement would be a dumpling that's pan fried. Don't get the other dishes really; they range from crappy to average at best. I've tried about 10 different dishes on the menu, and I've given up on finding something that's above average. As for the place, it's your basic hole in the wall in china town. The ladies that run the place are extremely nice and attentive to your needs.
(4)Jonathan D.
Great dumplings with a good selection. The Shanghai style dumplings (soup inside) reminded me of one of my favorite dumpling shops in Tokyo (Din Tai Fung is a chain throughout Asia). The venue was much more casual and the dumplings a bit less greasy. They assumed I had never had that style of dumpling. But, I really liked that the staff was friendly and helped explain which sauce to use and how to eat the dumplings.
(4)Kristin W.
What this place lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in good food and reasonable prices. We started with the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), which had good soup and flavorful filling. We also got the General Tso's Chicken which was tender and did not have too-thick breading although it could have used more broccoli in the dish. And to get a few tasty nutrients in there we also ordered some Chinese Broccoli. All around an enjoyable meal!
(4)Jia Z.
They moved to 1020 race Street!
(1)Donovan S.
This place is a dump like no other. But holy shit. Soup dumplings. Made proper. I have been coming here for a year now, and their soup dumplings have never disappointed. Not once. I recently tried their vegetable dumplings and was surprised that any other dumpling could compete on the same level. But they do! Also, their noodle dishes are awesome, but I try to avoid ordering the ones with meat as they tend to give you fattier cuts that I'm just not that into. Definitely one of the best ways to spend six dollars.
(5)Jorge C.
Worst Chinese food ever had!! .. I'm not a dumpling person so I ordered regular food not feeling like walking around away from my hotel..
(1)Robert W.
delicious noodle soup and soup dumplings. Fast service, great prices, awesome food... worth the drive from Baltimore.
(5)Vickie H.
Their soup dumplings (xiao long bao) is amazing and a great deal! This is the best soup dumplings I have had. There is much more flavor in the broth and stuffing than Joe's Shanghai! We ordered the pork dumpling and the pork and crab dumpling.. both were wonderful! We also ordered the pork and chives pan-fried dumplings and scallion pancakes.. great! Amazing flavors! The scallion pancakes are soo addicting because its so crispy and thin. Four delicious dishes for $18.45... What a deal! I'm definitely coming back here again!
(5)Christina S.
I've been to this place a bunch of times and have always had great food. My favorite dish is the Fried bean curd noodle with soup. The portion is huge-one I could never finish, but I enjoy the first bite as much as I do the last, and that's saying something. The spring rolls are good as well. The scallion pancakes are good like some of the reviews say, but once was enough for me as far as those go. I've read a bunch of reviews on this place and I just have a few things to say about the comments in those reviews. If you're looking to get your a$$ kissed or an overly friendly server who is going to coddle you through your whole meal-don't go here. This isn't the place for you. If you're looking for a trendy spot with Ikea furniture throughout, stay away. These people serve delicious hot food quickly and for a fair price. As far as I'm concerned, that's good enough for me. The great thing about Philadelphia is that there's 950902920 other restaurants for you to choose from if you're looking for those kinds of things. With the limited seating at Dim Sum Garden, people who actually enjoy this restaurant would rather you go to those anyway.
(4)Vinh T.
Don't let the shitty location and a cheap-looking restaurant fool you. Dimsum in this place rocks. Yes, it locates right next to the China Town bus station so please except people in front of the place and stare at you when you are trying to swallow their dumplings. Yes, it looks very cheap. Seem like they don't pay that much attention to the decor. Yes, they serves Shanghai style dimsum which means that there are lots of different kind of dumplings and shumai and the choices of dimsum are very limited. You won't find chicken feet or other food here.
(4)Jimmy J.
Soooo good! Great BYOB and a great value for what you get. Soup dumplings are a must. Bok choy is delish. Mopo over rice and minded pork noodles are another go to. Super fast service, everyone is very friendly and happy to reach you how to eat the soup dumplings. The decor is a big step up. The high ceilings are great but it echos. So it does tend to get loud with few people.
(5)Justin Z.
As a Shanghainese and a die hard juicy dumpling (xiao long bao) fan, this restaurant gets my stamp of approval. While in Philly, with all these celebrity chef restaurant choices, I managed to visit this place twice during my stay. We have tried many things on the menu; including the fried pork bun, wonton soup, onion pancake, spring rolls and turnip cake, etc. Everything tasted pretty authentic. However the juicy dumpling definitely stands out. These are probably the best dumplings I have had in the US.
(5)Jenn P.
I ordered the pork-scallion potsticker soup and a side of scallion pancakes. Not the finest dining but, good solid food. The people working were friendly and you can't beat the price - under eight dollars. I would definitely have creamed my jeans as a traveler had I found this just stepping off the chinatown buses (as it is right next to the terminal).
(3)Amy H.
The name of this business is very misleading. Don't walk in expecting anything like traditional dim sum. Service is slow and lacking. Your orders will come out one at a time and often with a significant delay. Order the xiao long bao and pass on everything else.
(2)Lisa R.
The soup dumplings are great here. I was taken back by the restaurant setting as I was expecting carts, but the place is small and perfect for casual dining. The sui mai was my least favorite option on the table. The siu mai was not the usual filling. The filling was a mixture of rice and meat. I'm more customed to pork and shrimp mixture, but it was cool to try something new. We also ordered the shrimp dumpling (aka har gow), which was tasty but on the smaller size. As for the service, it was a bit slow for the Monday morning we were there.
(3)G F.
Dim Sum Garden is a hidden gem -- a diamond in the rough. This food is so delicious, good, amazing, delectable, scrumptious, stupendous, and cheap. I can't believe it took me this long to review it. Everybody I've brought here just loves the food. I was first tipped off early of '09 about this restaurant when I asked a couple Chinese friends where to get good dumplings in Chinatown. A number of people told me to go here. So I did. And I've been back more times than I can remember since then. I've worked my way through most of the menu, excluding the rice dishes. Things have changed up a bit since Sally (worker/server with the bobbed haircut and always cool sneakers) and her mom took the helm. For instance, free ice water has been replaced by hot tea. Some breakfast-y items have been added to early morning, and new specials are now offered. However, my favorites remain the standard menu. The Siu Mai are so amazing. An order comes with four pieces, which includes sticky rice and mushroom/pork. The Cold Cucumber appetizer is also delicious and very light. The fried dumplings are a home run. Shanghai Steamed Buns are also a favorite of many. I can't tell you how many shirts have been splashed with these soup dumplings! And the handmade noodles. Yes! Get them without soup. Beef brisket type is great... as is the Pork and Pickled Cabbage. But they're all top-notch. The weakest is perhaps the Eel variety. Oh yeah, the surrounding area must be mentioned. It's the shits outside. You have the Chinatown bus next door, which brings in a lot of distasteful, aggressive people... not to mention sound pollution. There are the ever present vagrants to boot. And to top it off, this is all underneath the bleak concrete awning of this block. Your mother would probably be uncomfortable. But this has served well to keep this place a lesser known secret. The inside decor also doesn't speak to the greatness of the food. The neon lights that line the building-high windows add a nice cyberpunk touch. But don't let that dissuade you. Dim Sum Garden is the real deal.
(5)Peter L.
By far one of the best chicken on a stick I have eaten in my life. Their shanghai dumplings are also amazing. Of course it is not as good as Joe's shanghai in NY, but if you do not want to take that 2 hour drive and stay in philly, this is def the place to be. On to of that, its CHEAP!! Good food reasonable price, can't beat that!!!
(4)Kendra L.
Delicious! We had the Pork buns, pork and chive dumplings, and the scallion pancakes. Great, cheap lunch on a cold winters day. The waitstaff seems rushed, but no big deal, the food was served hot.
(4)Andy N.
Pork, beef and shrimp dumplings all taste the same. They cut the fillings from a solid piece of three colored pre-prepared blob of processed meat. The soup in those juicy dumplings is rather salty. Can only eat four of those. Nothing special here. If anyone thinks this is awesome dim sum has not eaten in los Angeles or d.c.
(2)Stephanie C.
Even though this place is a hole in the wall, it's the only place I've found in philly to service shanghai dumplings. Luckily, they are delicious! Don't come here if you want the traditional dim sum with carts because you won't get it. This place also serves other Shanghainese food, but for sure you have to try the dumplings. I'm not a fan of the dumplings with crab even though in China it's considered a delicacy. I like the original one. Get Mapo Tofu and Scallion pancake if you are still hungry. Those other two are very good as well! .
(4)Jordan F.
When you first walk by it looks pretty sketchy. But don't let that discourage you. But the food is sooooooo worth it. I sure pigged out I had the scallion pancakes that were so good I kept wanting more. I also had the pork dumplings, the napa cabbage, and the chicken dumplings. They all were tasty fresh and favorly. And I could leave with out getting some noodles I had the spicy beef noodle soup. Tasty beef broth,fresh noodles, green equal heaven. Thank you dim sum garden even thought at first I thought I was in the bus station you are a gem and I hope to dine again soon.
(4)Anne L.
Icky on the outside. Delicious on the inside. Soup dumplings mmmmmm
(5)Michael L.
Delicious food at a reasonable price that came out very quickly. The restaurant is not much to look at but the dumplings make it worthwhile.
(5)Lisa Y.
The best soup dumplings in Philly! The soup is plentiful and hot! I eat them with hot chili oil and ginger soy sauce. I only come here for the dumplings, the rest of the food is just eh.
(4)Ramen F.
Ambiance: We all know that this is not the prettiest restaurant nor in the nicest location. Granted, you will have to push past the chinatown bus crowd to get into Dim Sum Garden, but you will be happy that you did! The furniture is recognizable as some of the cheapest options that you can find at Ikea, but it serves its purpose. The wall is full of framed pictures of some famous international sights, but there is no real theme. Past the curtains is the bathroom...and a hallway of storage. Service: The service is that of a traditional Asian restaurant where the server is brusque, but it is not meant as an insult. If there is an Asian in your dining group, the server will try to communicate with and through them as much as possible. It can be a bit isolating and annoying. But again, can you blame them? The food comes out quickly and the waitstaff is always so close by (small restaurant) that you can easily flag them over if you need anything. Food: This is the real reason that you come to this place - the food. If you have seen this place and already know the location and aesthetic, it is clear that the food must be good in order to always be so packed. The soup dumplings are the headliner here (with scallion pancake trailing closely behind) and rightfully so. To be honest, it is not worth it to me to pay extra for the seafood soup dumplings because their flavor is very nearly the same as the regular pork ones. Learning how to eat these things is key, otherwise you WILL burn yourself. Be warned that if the soup from the dumpling squirts out on your face, hand, etc - it will be burning hot and quite sticky. Put the soup dumpling into your Chinese spoon, bite off the top, let the dumpling cool,add chili sauce and dumpling sauce on top (this step is optional for you but imperative for me), eat the whole thing like the greedy troll that you are. Their version of dan dan noodles are tasty, but not spicy and cannot hold a candle to Han Dynasty. Their beef noodle soup is just okay. Stick with the headliners. Overall: Get over thinking that you are above this shady location and go to this restaurant, get the soup dumplings and scallion pancakes, thank me later.
(4)Kristin H.
My first soup dumpling experience was not a disappointment, after I figured out the menu. Soup dumplings = buns, apparently. Anyway, dumplings were tasty and came out quick, and there were lots of them. A few too many. And they don't travel well. Next time, I'll split the order with a friend. The scallion pancake was delicious, and good for trying out the different sauces on the table. Quick, cheap, and tasty. I am satisfied.
(3)Joy C.
Legit soup dumplings in the most random, sketchy location. Was pleasantly surprised. I would stay away from the scallion pancakes though. Tasted like the frozen kind you get in the Asian supermarket and barely had any scallions... I would go back and just eat an entire order of soup dumplings.
(4)Dana B.
As mentioned in previous reviews, don't go to Dim Sum Garden expecting that fancy of an atmosphere, because it comes nowhere close to the appearance of your average Dim Sum restaurant, especially given its location (right next to the Chinatown bus stop). However, their menu has plenty of options to satisfy just about everyone, and not only that, the prices are extremely reasonable. $5.75 for 6 shrimp dumplings? Not bad!
(4)Jeff H.
Read about this place in the news awhile back when they only had one gas burner or something like that. I finally got around to trying it with a friend two weeks ago and I was not disappointed. We split an order of the Shanghai dumplings with pork and the pork and scallion pot stickers. It was enough to fill both of us up and we got out for about $10. Relatively simple menu but great prices and friendly service. There are a few different sauces at each table to dip in, a dumpling sauce, a chili sauce and a ginger sauce (if I'm remembering correctly). It's kind of hidden but I've taken the Chinatown bus so many times I don't know how I missed it, would've really come in handy for those times I would've liked a quick bite to eat before catching a ride to NYC. (It's near the Chinatown bus.)
(4)Percy N.
This place has some awesome, authentic dishes made with love, especially the Xiao Long Bao, which is not only hard to find in the Philly area, but these are one of the best I have ever had. Not sure if it is the fumes from the buses outside the restaurant, but even pedestrian dishes like the fried rice tasted special. When I last visited, they were still waiting for their gas stove, so I can only imagine the dishes getting better....if that is possible. Super friendly and helpful service and super cheap. A bit hard to find and you can easily walk by. Look for the neon "Wings" sign.
(5)Sarah P.
Awesome dumpling joint! We were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, conveniently across the the street from Dim Sum Garden, and were looking for a late light dinner before turning in without resorting to room service. I read the reviews on here for the soup dumplings and thought I'd try them, very happy I did! No, the place is not fancy or in a great location but the food is yummy. Husband was not too fond of the General Tso's chicken because he found some cartilage in it (he prefers it made with white meat) but I thought it was tasty. The scallion pancakes were yummy, loved the shrimp dumplings and yes, the soup dumplings were really good. Husband ordered one of the cantaloupe smoothies and it was a hit. Cheap too, we ate well for about $20.
(4)Epic N.
when you go, order only the SOUP DUMPLINGS and if you need another dish, the scallion pancakes - they get 5 stars - the scallion pancakes were light and crispy but wish it had more scallion - but when ordering the dumplings... make sure to ask for finely JULIENNE FRESH GINGER and put that on top of the dumplings- it adds great flavor to the dish! I tried a lot of the other stuff and nothing was that great - I ordered the gizzard, the duck, pork something...
(4)Joyce W.
I would have to say that this place is good for where it is at. Philadelphia isnt really known for their asian population so for the quality of shanghai soupy dumplings... its great. Dont get me wrong, its not bad... the skin is thin but i have had thinner and yummy juices. I just recently tried another place in NY for dumplings and that was DELICIOUS!!!! I will definitly go back to this place and try others dishes... looking forward to try their noodles.
(4)Totally I.
I've been three times in the last month.It's got great Xiao Long Bao, shanghai soup dumplings (pork or crab). These are rarely found done well anywhere around here. The Chives & Pork dumplings are excellent and they use hand-pulled noodles. All that and the most expensive thing on the menu is $6.75! no joke... Not really a traditional dim sum restaurant but the dishes they do provide are superior to the 'traditional' Philly dim sum spots. I could eat there every day (edit: no, it turns out I can't eat there everyday... or shouldn't anyway) Poor Dawn R. doesn't know what's what with the soup dumpling. Try googling 'how to eat xiao lung bao' - as to Dave B.'s comment, to be clear it's not IN the bus terminal... it's across the little alley from the New Century 'Chinatown bus' office, and both are under the parking garage/hotel annex attached to the convention center that covers a number of streets in the area.
(4)Ryan B.
The older couple at the table next to me said it best "the foods really good here and the hipsters haven't taken over yet". I came here with the sole intent of finding delicious soup dumplings in Philadelphia and boy oh boy did I find them. They were EVERY bit as good as the ones I'm used to in NYC. Glad I found this place on yelp and I'm glad it'll save me China Town Bus rides to NYC for my soup dumpling fix. Don't let this places location scare you away, like Aladdin it's a "diamond in the ruff"
(4)Katie B.
Pork Juicy Buns are amazing! GO!
(5)David M.
Went there on a Sunday around noon. We had their soup dumplings, pan fried soup dumplings, har gow, triple stream dumplings, and turnip cake. My favorite was their pan fried soup dumplings, simply amazing. The service was fast, the price was cheap, and the food was great, what more can you ask?
(5)Patricia L.
For someone who's lived in Asia most of my life, this place def did not live up to its yelp reviews. The soup dumplings were juicy but were greasy and salty. You can definitely feel the MSG rolling off your tongue. Their pork and chive dumplings were decent but nothing to scream about. The scallion pancake is thin and crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside and comes with a decent tangy sauce. Overall, Good location and inexpensive. You can get 8 soup dumplings for 5.25. However if you want better, more authentic soup dumplings, head a few blocks down to Sakura Mandarin!
(2)Brian K.
Fantastic! Certainly doesn't look like much from the outside, and the location is a little sketchy, but don't let that deter you -- the food is delicious! Everything here is hand made (e.g. noodles, dumplings, etc) and you can really taste the difference. Ordered the soup dumplings and they were great. Wonderful broth under and tender skin. Also ordered one of the noodle dishes, which was excellent. The homemade noodles are chewy and perfect. The only downside was the wonton soup -- my companion liked it but the broth was a little off to me. Also, the duck in the roast duck over rice was more bones than duck -- although the crispy skin was great. Overall, fabulous place, very cheap, great service, and amazing food.
(4)Natalie H.
When taking the bus to NYC, I always came by this place and wanted to try it. I am a gigantic dumpling fan, they may be my favorite food, anyways, I stopped in here on my way home to pick up some dumplings to go. I ordered the pork "soup" dumplings. Wow, they were good. Although I only had one dish, it was five stars! I would absolutely go back and try every other kind of dumpling.
(5)Paul B.
Xlb had really good skins. Broth was decent but the dipping sauce was lacking. Personally if I am eating soup dumplings then I want the vinegar sauce with ginger to cut the super savory xlb broth. The dipping sauce was in this little pourer instead of a dish and ginger was no where to be found. I'll be the first to admit that I had no idea how to use that pourer without spilling everywhere. Regardless pork xlb were 8 for $5.25, and to be clear: I'm not completely insane. There is no way I'm going to give a bad review to delicious soup dumplings at that price. To top it off Dim Sum Garden is so much easier to get to in Philly than it is for me to make it out to flushing from my manhattan apt.
(4)Bianca L.
OK so I admit that all we ordered here was one order of xiao long bao (Shanghainese soup dumplings with crab and pork) but they were delicious. The skin was the perfect thickness - very, very thin and the dumplings were clearly handmade. It's not at all a traditional dim sum restaurant - for one thing, dim sum is generally Cantonese-style Chinese tapas-like lunch, whereas Dim Sum Garden offers food that is primarily Shanghainese in style. The noodle soups and other dishes also seem good - I'm looking forward to trying the smoked fish next time. It's in an odd location, and I admit that the pictures of the food above the counter and the decor threw me off a bit, but the food is worth returning for. I'll update after I try more than just the soup dumplings but those were so good it was worth reviewing just on that basis. ** Update: we returned here and ordered more dumplings and other tasty dishes. The noodles in the beef brisket soup were great - handmade and nicely chewy but the broth itself was a little flavorless and too salty. However, everything else we ordered was terrific - the dumplings had nice, thick skins with juicy fillings and the green onion pancake was top-notch. And again, this time both orders of Shanghainese soup dumplings were spot-on - served piping hot, they were juicy and wonderful. Next time, I'm trying the smoked fish (another Shanghainese specialty).
(4)Abe L.
Best xiao long bao in the mid-atlantic area by far. Blows away Joe's shanghai. Almost as good as din tai fung in Taipei. Decor is what you'd expect of a restaurant next to the bus depot.
(4)Thao H.
On par for Chinese food.
(3)Micaela F.
Kinda in a sketchy area but when you try their delicious varieties of dumplings you will forget where you are. Came the first time with a friend after we read Craig Le Ban's review. He did not go wrong with this one. The soup dumplings are delicious and the Siu Mai is a bit different but love it.
(5)Erin H.
Probably the most solicitous service I have had in a Chinese restaurant in a long time. Not your typical Dim Sum experience but my lunch was beyond delicious! The duck was amazingly tender and fatty and the soft, wide noodles were amazing. The crab dumplings were tasty, steaming hot little delights. What cannot be beat was the price! 3 of us ate for $21 - worth every penny - a great lunch place - particularly during a grueling conference :).
(3)Jerry W.
Absolutely amazing. Their dim sum and noodle soup (Udon) are to die for and cost next to nothing.
(5)C'Anne W.
Yum! More Shanghai style than traditional Hong Kong style. Very tasty and available at 3 in the afternoon! Our party of 10 thoroughly enjoyed it. (Some of us have lived in HK, and some of us are Asian!)
(4)Richard L.
I really like their food! Despite their terrible location, they serve up fresh and delicious Chinese. Yes the dim sum is really good. I'm sorta addicted. Don't let the appearance fool you and yes the Philadelphia Inquierer review was right on!
(4)Mega D.
Vile. Those who work in an open kitchen must be aware that customers can SEE EVERY HORRID THING BEING DONE TO THEIR FOOD. Like, woman preparing my disgusting, overpriced wonton noodle soup: I can see that you are repeatedly blowing your nose and not washing your hands while touching things that I might ingest with your diseased digits. Like, other women preparing pork/ whatever dumplings, I can see that you have decided to forgo the $3 for a box of zip lock bags and have instead opted to store said meat in a CVS bag. That's right, a plastic CVS bag that you get when you buy things like tampons, razorblades, whatever. I am not a germophobe but I would rather not witness a PARADE OF CONTAGIONS while you are preparing food I have paid you money for. Against my better judgment, I was curious to see how this hazmat-soaked soup tasted. As I attempted to corral a dumpling with my chopsticks, it disintegrated into the oily mass of broth, slime noodles and rancid, yellow bok choi. As poor and hungry as I was, I threw this putrid mixture in the trash. In summary, do not go here. For amazing, simple and inexpensive wonton noodle soup, I totally recommend patronizing either Wong Wong at 9th and Race Streets or Wokano at 11th and Washington Streets.
(1)Carl N.
For years I've been driving up to my usual spots in Manhattan and Flushing for my xia long bao fix - not anymore. I've walked past this place so many times but never gave it a second thought on entering until I read about it on one of Yelp's monthly emails. I was hesitant at first, but after reading everyone's reviews and tips I decided to give it a shot. Besides the delicious xia long bao, the dumplings there are excellent as well (pork & chives). My preference is for the steamed dumplings though (fried ones are ok, but probably would have tasted better had I ordered it right after the grill was cleaned). I've gone as often as twice a day for xiao long baos; gluttonous.
(4)june g.
Sometimes, you find delectable delights in places you'd expect least. In my case, that'd be next to the bus depot in Chinatown, in an obscenely bright, but clean restaurant. Craving what I once had in Chinatown in Lima, Peru; I went on a quest to find the closest thing to it here in Philadelphia. After much reviewing, Dim Sum Garden looked to be the best bet, so my Valentine and I ventured out. Upon arriving we were told to sit anywhere, we're brought hot, black tea and handed menus. After much contemplation, we decided on scallion pancakes, shanghai suimai, shrimp dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, wonton soup, and juicy pork buns. I'll save the best for last. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, not overly doughy or oily. Yet I'm still hoping to find scallion pancakes where the flavor of the scallions are more present and dominant. The wontons in the soup were freshly homemade and delicious, however, I didn't care for the broth; as the smell of seafood from the seaweed in the soup was slightly overbearing. The shrimp dumplings were good, nothing stood out about them but they were a nice accompaniment to the other dishes. Among my favorites were the savory Shanghi Sui Mai, served hot and steamy. I tasted rice, pork, and is that coconut? I don't know what was in them, but with some dumpling sauce it made a dish to return to. The ginger sauce tasted old and fermented which was my only slight disapointment, as I love ginger and was looking forward to having it as my primary dipping sauce. Between refilled cups of tea, we moved on to our other dishes. The chives were ever present in the succulent pork and chive dumplings. The dough just the right consistency, soft on the tongue and slightly chewy. After reading about the must have 'soup dumplings', they were a nice finish to an already savory, filling meal. Heeding the advice of other soup dumpling eaters, I slowly bit a piece of the dumpling off the top, blew into it to cool the soup, sipped and then savored the pork and juice after devouring the rest of the dumpling. Very tasty yet a bit oily(I take it that's only the natural pork fat), but I'd order it again to share with others, perhaps the crab and pork version next time. And with a $26.00 bill, we'll be back. And that, my fellow yelpers, just about dim sums it up.
(4)Diane C.
All I can say is...YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Dave H. for Yelping about it!
(5)Christina S.
Everything looks different from their photo and the photos posted by other people, almost making me wonder if the owner changed? The skin of the shrimp dumplings was not chewy at all, which was the worst dish of the day. The pan fried pork buns were soupy and nice. The cucumber appetizer was a bit salty but not bad at all. The shui-mai was... hmm... innovative, in a way that I would never order again (but my families who didn't like regular shui-mei, liked their innovative shui-mei lol). I will give them 3-stars because it wasn't bad but I've had better.
(3)S W.
I finally had the chance to try the Xiao Long Bao, and they were really good. I am so happy to finally have a place to get these instead of having to go all the way to NYC. Their noodles were also really good, made in the restaurant, and when I asked the waitress, she said the "dry style" was better than the soup style. I got the dry noodles, and although they were a little salty, they were really tasty. Don't let this place close down, Philly definitely needs more Chinese restaurants than the usual Cantonese style! Next time, I want to try their dumplings and their scallion pancake. Also, as a side note, they do sell their dumplings raw, if you want to take them home and freeze them. Same price as cooked at the restaurant.
(4)John B.
Xiao Long Bao (Soup dumplings!! These are much better than the ones from Joe's Shanghai in NY. Their fried noodles have good flavor (maybe a tad too salty at times) and their soup noodles are a bit blend. But I can give 4 stars just based on their soup dumplings. My favorite things to get: Pork Soup Dumplings, Pork/Crab Soup Dumplings, Beef Noodles without Soup.
(4)Emanuel K.
One of my favorite spots in China town, and one of the few places with true Shanghainese dishes. While the atmosphere is somewhat drab, and the exterior may cause you to mistake the place for a cafeteria for the bus station next door, the food will quickly expunge your mind of all such thoughts. While Craig LaBan made this place known for its soup dumplings (which are out of this world), other dishes such as egg and tomato over rice and pork sauce noodle are equally outstanding and should not be overlooked. The food is delicious, the service is excellent and the prices are remarkably cheap.
(5)David C.
This is not the "original" dim sum garden--the real place moved and some new crummy owners kept the name to try to retain the business. For the "old" dim sum garden, go to their new location at 1020 Race St.
(1)Trong T.
Food is amazing!!!! They are almost always packed. Try the soup dumpling and any of the homemade noodles. Don't be put off by the location... it's worth trying!!
(5)Kaori I.
After reading Yelp I went to Dim Sum Garden. While we were waiting for the food to come, I saw a guy came out of the kitchen with a 50 lb. bag of MSG. Then all I could taste was MSG afterwords. I was very disappointed.
(1)G Z.
This is not the most glamorous place to eat, but overlook that and try the handmade xiao long bao (Shanghai steamed buns). Having lived in Shanghai, these are the most authentic you'll get in Philly (if you can even find them anywhere else). The vegetable steamed buns, steamed pork & chives dumplings, and scallion pancake are all just as fantastic, handmade, authentic goodness.
(5)Aaron C.
WARNING: DO NOT GO. TRY ANOTHER PLACE. BAD SERVICE, AWFUL FOOD(POSSIBLY RAW). Came here another time. Asked for steamed pork buns, steamed crabmeat and pork buns, shrimp dumplings and marinated pork. In general, food sucks this time, as well as the service. I will never set foot in this crappy place again. Try to buy some frozen shrimp dumplings and steam them yourself, it'll still beat the hell of the ones in this place. I bet even if you grab some raw shrimp and wrap them in some cookie dough, and eat it directly, it still beats the ones here. As for the pork buns, well, it tasted a bit raw, and the center of the stuffing inside was still red like the center of a medium rare steak. I'm personally okay with undercooked meat, but this is pork, and it is not supposed to be raw in the bun! I had it anyway since I was starving. Now I regret I did since I'm feeling food poisoning now. The service sucked as well. I should have expected this yet once again they surprised me. It took about long enough waiting to be served, and then another 15mins waiting for the buns. The server only brought the crabmeat buns but not the pork buns in the beginning. After we've finished everything else, the pork buns was not ready. I asked the server and was told "right away". After 10 mins or so, it was finally brought to me. I can only assume they forgot the order at first. Finished dinner I asked for the check. Handwritten, of course. They wrote the prices for the four dishes, and a total. It appears the total is not the sum of the four dishes, so I thought I should ask. Then the b**ch at the counter just freaked out saying "the calculation is right". She showed me how it was done. Basically it was right: the total was after tax. Only if she put the tax on the receipt I would have known that, and every other restaurant I've been to will do so. And then she was like "this is America, of course it includes tax" with a condescending tone. WTF? I've been here for years and I suddenly don't know I'm in America now? I thought okay, whatever. I'm not going to argue, I'll just pay then, but she then said "I'll put the 15% tip in as well." And then she put in an amount and was about to swipe my card. HEY! I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU 15% EVEN FOR THE AWFUL FOOD AND SERVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT JUST CHARGE ME THAT WITHOUT MY CONSENT! So I told her hell no, I'm not giving you 15% tip. Eventually I just wrote a big zero on the tip and gave them what they charged for food only - not that they earned it. And then the b**ch murmured something to other people like "they are poor". LOL. I can give 20% tip if I like the service and the food. But for this? And she even wants to charge me directly with food? I would have given negative tips if I could. If you have reached here. I appreciate your patience. Take my advice: don't go to this place. B**ch and awful food ALERT.
(1)Ben P.
High end, this is not. Fancy, this is not. Good-ass food, THIS IS. Seriously, son. This place is one step below the Ikea cafeteria in terms of look and feel. You couldn't pick a worse place in the city to open a restaurant. Fortunately for them, their food is off the hook. Dumplings and juicy buns that are absolutely the balls. Traditional dishes like sesame chicken, et al that will blow the chopsticks off your local go-to joint. If I lived downtown, I would be here weekly. Shit, I live in South Philly and I might anyway.
(5)Erin D.
This is your typical Chinese restaurant in terms of decor. It's functional and plain. There are tables and chairs; that's all you need. The table and chopsticks are clean; that's all you need. This was my first time having Shanghai-style dim sum, since Houston mainly has Hong Kong-style dim sum. I ordered the juicy buns, and they were DELICIOUS. The waitress sensed I was out of my element, so she nicely explained how to eat them (as explained in other reviews). The soup broth inside was phenomenal. I also ordered the siu mai, which is very different than what I am used to, but still tasty. The wonton wrapper on the siu mai could be less pasty or doughy if possible. The siu mai though is absolutely huge compared to the Hong Kong style. My eight juicy buns, four pieces of siu mai, and two bottles of water were $11, an absolutely wonderful price, although credit cards require a minimum of $15. The service was very good too, unlike your typical Chinese restaurant. This is also convenient for those staying at the Hilton Garden Inn across the street. I will definitely come again!
(4)Jessie L.
While the soup dumplings are definitely worth getting, this place doesn't have a lot of the dim sum dishes I was looking for. I would skip on the shrimp dumplings, which were oversteamed, and also skip on the very ordinary scallion pancakes. This place also has a $20 minimum for credit cards do bring cash or plan to get 4 dishes. I thought the waitstaff was fine however I did hear them say quite a few nasty things about customers in mandarin.
(3)Ashleigh M.
Yes - this place is situated in a shady location, just footsteps from the Chinatown bus station.... Yes - this place doesn't LOOK the cleanest.... Yes, the waitstaff provides minimal service... HOWEVER, the food is DELICIOUS and the one time I used the bathroom it was shockingly clean. Although you should never judge a book by its cover, you should ALWAYS judge a restaurant by the cleanliness of it's bathroom ;) Seriously though, this place is my goto.... The steamed pork juicy buns are divine - if you don't know how to eat them, make sure to ask! It's basically a soup filled dumpling and you are supposed to slurp the soup out of the dumpling before you eat it - mmmmmm! The chicken on a stick is exactly as you guessed, chicken meat grilled on a stick, great if you need that extra boost of protein in your meal. The scallion pancakes are amazing as well, I smother them in the hot oil and gyoza sauce on the table. Additional favorites include - shanghai shumai, pork noodle in sauce (sounds weird, tastes great!), cucumbers (oh so refreshing - I ask for them spicy), and any of the noodle soups. Also the smoothies (I have been meaning to ask for no added sugar since they taste so delicious they must have SOMETHING added!) and the iced bubble tea are key. I'm sure I'll be seeing ya sooner rather than later Dim Sum Garden!!!
(5)Christine L.
Think of Dim Sum Garden as street food with a ceiling, and your expectations will be right on par with what you get. Great introduction to Shanghainese Dim Sum- you'll find that some of your favorites (turnip cakes, shao mai) are completely different than the regular dim sum you may have been looking for. Both steamed and fried versions of dumplings and buns are delicious. Don't choose one or the other. Order both, and while you wait for your order, admire the strangely labeled sauces on the table. And don't forget the Xiaolongbao! Definitely don't miss out on that. The server said the noodles are made in-house, and they definitely have that handmade, chewy texture. Recommend the pork with sauce noodle (I think that's the right name). Fast service (when there are two servers). Go with a group so you can eat a ton of different dishes.
(4)Christine B.
Went here with a group of 8 on Chinese new year's eve. It's not the traditional brunch dim sum that you get from the carts, but there are lots of dumpling options, and an assortment of Chinese food type dishes. Everything I tried was good. I went with the pork and noodles hoping it would be like dan dan noodles, and after adding some spice, it was in the same family, but not exactly the same thing. All of the dumplings were tasty, and I loved the scallion pancakes. Price was about 15 a person which I would consider a pretty cheap dinner.
(3)Rebecca Y.
This was the absolutely worst customer service experience of my life. I have never been treated so rudely by anyone at a business before. Basically, the workers at this restaurant harassed my friend while she was IN THE BATHROOM by banging on the door and yelling at her to get out, talked s*** about me and my friend in Chinese (assuming that I couldn't understand what they were saying), and then lied about doing so when we confronted them about it (in Chinese of course, which just shocked the hell outta them. Wish I could have captured the look of horror on their faces when they realized I understood everything they had said!) My friend and I came here because we were craving some xiaolongbao, but what we got was an awful experience that I never want to repeat again. My friend wrote a Yelp review about it, which Yelp initially took down because they found it offensive, but I'll vouch for her experience, because it really WAS that bad. For details, here's the link to her review: yelp.com/biz/dim-sum-gar… Their xiaolongbao are pretty good, but it's not worth it when you're treated like crap. I will never come here again and I encourage my fellow Yelpers to not do so, either.
(1)Sarah F.
Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me
(3)Jihye T.
There is always someone eating here, at most odd times of the day. During meal times, particularly on weekends, it could get quite crowded. So, even though the restaurant looks a bit sketchy from the outside, I decided to I had to check out what the fuss was about. The soup dumplings here will satisfy the craving - plenty of hot juice in the bun, and the pork flavor is nice enough. However, I found the skin to be a bit too chewy and the soup lacked the garlicky/ gingery aroma that typically adds another dimension to the pork flavor.
(3)Jack F.
Me: "How late are you open later tonight [Christmas Eve]?" Server #1: "10:30" Me: "What about tomorrow" Server #1: [Says nothing when she realizes I'm not eating] Server #2: "10:30" [in a rushed and annoyed manner as if she's shooing you away] Service may not be ideal but the soup dumplings are amazing. Dim Sum Garden makes an ideal pit stop by the bus with prices you'd expect from Chinatown ($5.25 for 8 steamed dumplings). Yeah, I'd come back even if they were rude. [Last Visit: December 25, 2011]
(4)Meg S.
Low on atmosphere, but decent food. We had the scallion pancakes and the soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes were good, greasy but good. I didn't heed previous reviews on the soup dumplings, however (I didn't Yelp it beforehand and see what happens...), and ended up getting a bit of a burn on my mouth...but other than that, delicious and cheap. My reason for three stars is that the overall atmosphere is really unpleasant. Something with the overhead lights gives you that feeling of being in convenience store at 3 in the morning, and not in a good way. It'd be an easy 4 stars with better lighting, decoration on the walls, etc, but I'm just not feeling it now.
(3)Lilli C.
I had just gotten off the bus and stopped in here because it was close and I was hungry. I really wasn't expecting much, but the food here is delicous and cheap! I got the sauteed homemade noodles with pork. The noodles were fantastic- they were light and fluffy and were seasoned in this flavorful brown sauce. I will definitely be back here to try the soup dumplings and their other dim sum items.
(4)Gina M.
What a terrific place to enjoy my favorite food. You just cannot go wrong with some Dim Sum. And at the prices they offer, you can try as many as you want! When I first walked in, I almost wanted to hit my sister because the place looks awful. It is really tacky and ghetto, but we're in Philadelphia. I don't know why that shocked me! But I sat down anyway and we ordered away. The scallion pancakes ( I hope I remembered the name correctly) were to die for. They were absolutely delicious. We ordered a bunch of different varieties of Dim Sum and there was only one I didn't care for. The pan fired vegetable dim sum had a bit of a spice to it and I don't care for that. My sister, however, loved them. Everything we ordered was great and came to us fast. I loved the little kid that comes over to teach you how to eat dim sum too. This place, as previously mentioned in someone else's yelp, is a perfect definition of a 'hole-in-the-wall'. Go check it out!
(4)Mike L.
I've had better dim sum to say the least. While the prices initially look good, you can normally get dim sum for far cheaper. I had heard good things about their soup dumplings, but I'm sorely disappointed by the ones I got. The soup was far sweeter than I'm used to. The Siu Mai was good though. As were the shrimp dumplings.
(3)Jonathan P.
Finally made it around to trying the famous Dim Sum Garden, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Didn't get too crazy with the menu selection; general tso's chicken, pork and scallion steamed dumplings, and pork dim sum. It took them ten minutes to have everything ready for pickup....somehow every Chinese restaurant manage to cook any size order in fifteen minutes or less, I love it. The steamed dumplings were good and cooked perfectly, the general tso's chicken was mushy and didn't taste that good (had a feeling that would be the case at a place that specializes in dumplings). And the pork dim sum made up for everything, they were literally the best dumplings I've ever had. The broth inside was filled with flavor and the pork was juicy. The prices are low for what's in the area, along with the quality and great tasting dumplings being served. Stick with the dumpling menu and you can't go wrong. So happy I live close by and can make this one of my regular spots.
(4)Kevin S.
SOUP DUMPLINGS!!! Ok I must admit that I was unsure about this place. Being next to the Chinatown Bus Station and the most disgusting Wawa in Philly made me not even think of trying it. But I did at a friends recommendation...I'm so glad I did. Try the soup dumplings and cucumber salad.
(5)Caleigh R.
Not my favorite dim sum experience. We are big fans of sticky buns--and they didn't have these on the menu. The gal who helped us was very sweet and helpful. She was very informative when it came to how we should eat the soup dumplings. She also suggested the 3 sauces in the middle. Of the two soy colored sauces (still don't know what they were) I liked the sweeter one the most. I love my hot sauce as well! We had: Crab/pork soup dumplings-new experience. Interesting. Still love my sticky buns more. Scallion pancakes were my favorite Brocollini- flavorful and not too greasy Panfried pork buns -meh---same things as the soup dumplings, only fried. Could have done without these. Miss our sticky buns!!!
(3)Jonny R.
My favorite spot for dim sum. There is not cart service, which I think must be a problem from some folks. But I enjoyed my options, and liked seeing a menu and ordering that way, too. It's unsuspecting, since it's in the bus tunnel-actually think that's a plus in some ways. I'll update the review with recommendations next time I'm there.
(3)Clint W.
As much as it pains me to say it, my initial impression of Dim Sum may have been premature, a little influenced by the thrill of the chase. Like those guys that are obsessed with the girl until they get them, who once the primal chase is called off, find themselves disillusioned. After our first good experience at Dim Sum, my girlfriend and I returned with excitement. We knew what we were in for: good, inexpensive food, uncleaned tables, and a terse waitstaff. The Pork Juicy Buns, I must say, were just as delicious as the last time. But something had changed in the character of the place. Perhaps with all the positive reviews and the talk of Chef Jose Garces treating his family to Dim Sum made them complacent. They were out of the first 5 dishes we wanted (General Tso's, sesame, sweet & sour, etc etc). My girlfriend settled for some chicken and broccoli, that proved so fatty as to be almost inedible, and I ordered spring rolls along with the Pork Juicy Buns. After bringing our food, the waiter disappeared outside and never returned. We tried to pay but they said they'd bring the bill (another long wait ensued). Finally, after 15 minutes of empty time, we received our check, paid, and departed. Even though we knew to expect poor service and questionable food, our disappointment was beyond minor discomforts. For example, I love food but I'm not positive that the chicken and broccoli actually consisted of chicken. Why would they be out of every other chicken dish except that one? It didn't taste much like chicken and it certainly didn't look like it. I'm not saying Dim Sum doesn't have some excellent specialties. For a snack consisting of the Pork Juicy Buns, I might return. For a dinner, on the other hand, I'd sooner pay a little extra and order General Tso's from Empress Garden, the jewel of Chinatown.
(2)Edward M.
Any place that, in an impromptu moment of hunger in the area, I decide to go to and - after eating the meal - am glad I did, deserves four stars. Mmmm, tasty hot seaweed soup.
(4)Wes D.
My wife and I lived in Asia for a few years, and believe that most of the food items that we tried at Dim Sum Garden reflected a delicious authenticity. Their xiao long bao was outstanding, and their beef noodle soup brought us back to Taiwan. The atmosphere was a little dingy, but it kind of gave off that secret hole-in-the-wall feel, and we felt like we were expecting that going in. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we felt like the prices were commendable. We spent $24 for xiao long bao, onion pancakes, beef noodle soup, friend dumplings, and milk tea. They provided glasses of water immediately, which although it would've been nice to have complimentary hot tea, we were surprised to have free drinks. Our party of three walked away full and thrilled to have found a decent xiao long bao restaurant. Definitely going back...
(4)Kevin A.
DUMPLING HEAVEN After cheesesteak overload I needed some Chinese food to restore balance to the force. Thank goodness for Dim Sum Garden. As soon as I walked in I knew this place was going to be great. It's a no-nonsense, no-frills, high turnover place that does what they do very well. Here's what you need to order. Trust me. -XLBs aka pork soup dumplings (Attn:XLB snobs from LA - just shut it...no one wants to hear about how much better ____ in LA/Arcadia/San Gabriel/ is) -Pork & chive potstickers; perfection, I could have eaten a dozen by myself. -Zhajiang mein; fried noodles with ground pork and gravy. (Note: Beware of the soy sauce bottles - they tend to send a squirt when you turn them over)
(5)Mihiri w.
Confession: I am obsessed with their soup dumplings! The filling is so delicious and love the burst of all the soupy goodness. I also like the the pan-seared( don't know it's actual name) soup dumplings. They are more chewy in texture and aren't as " soupy". Their shrimp dumplings are good, typical dimsum kind, nothing out of the ordinary. I refuse to give them 5 stars because they have a $20 credit care limit, which is very inconvenient for a girl who rarely carries any cash.
(4)Ming W.
Best xiao long bao I've had outside of Shanghai! These people really get it right with the dimsum. Also tried the shumai and "sheng jian bao" which were also on point. The surrounding area seems to be a slight bit ghetto but was worth the trip. Would definitely come back over and over.
(5)Kevin R.
When I first came through the door I had the feeling that I was in the wrong place. I'm used to the big Dim Sum houses of San Francisco and Oakland Chinatowns where a battalion of non-English speaking Chinese woman push around the traditional carts. This place had about a dozen tables and no carts. I've never had Xiao long bao and wish I had read up on these juicy bites of goodness before I arrived. The little dumpling exploded onto my shirt, pants, and table while I sat there with an expression like I had just let out a loud fart by accident. I wised up and used a soup spoon to cradle the 2nd dumpling while I carefully bit the corner off and sucked out the most amazing broth I have ever had. I also had a great flat noodle dish with pork that was quite tasty. The next time you find yourself close to this underpass by Reading Terminal, do yourself a favor and try the Xiao long bao, just remember to wear an old shirt.
(4)Jen H.
Most of the food here is on par if not sub par but the juicy buns are definitely worth getting. The service wavers depending on who you get as a server but it's not exactly a place of luxury so it really doesn't phase me when I get a crap waiter/waitress. Overall, it's a dingy place that serves pretty cheap, decent food. Go to try the juicy buns. Oh, and on a side note, I do also enjoy the tomato and egg over rice dish.
(3)Michael L.
So I came back again...the next day. But this time, for dinner. I just ordered the Crab meat XLB (#2), and got some pea shoot sprouts (not on the menu, just ask for daily vegetable availability). The XLB itself was pretty good- none of them "broke" or "popped" prematurely, and all 8 had good amounts of broth in them. The broth is slightly sweet, which makes me think these folks are really from Shanghai, as Shanghainese cuisine tends to be on the sweeter side. (It's one thing to have "Shanghai" written as a descriptor of menu items, but it's another thing to actually flavor the food accordingly.) I noticed the same thing with the pea sprouts. Slightly sweet. In a good way. Gotta get my veggies in...or I'll pay for it later...in non-monetary forms... The crab topping on top of the XLB was just ok. I could go without it. I'd probably order the normal XLB next time. Yes, I do mean that I will be back before the end of this week...perhaps more than once....wait...probably, since I'll bring my friends in Philly at least once.
(4)Jay W.
The soup dumplings ( AKA the juicy pork dumplings) are amazing. Hot pork soup inside the dumpling. Be careful eating them, that you don't burn yourself. My favorite thing to do is wait until they are just cool enough and pop the whole thing into my mouth (with a little spicy oil). When you bite it that way, its like a giant savory Gusher. The Chinese broccoli is my favorite vegetable served here. It is absolutely PACKED with garlic. Great dim sum, the napa and pork dumplings are also really good, tasty steamed bok choy, pretty good noodles. Also, try the the duck fried rice, and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food comes out quickly. Not much of a decor. In the winter you'll get a cold draft every time someone comes in. Very cheap food, you could order more food than you can eat for under $10. If you are planning on using a credit card you must spend more than $15.
(5)Pira T.
Finally tried this place. Service was ok. Food was meh. Nothing special. It wasn't good at all. Don't know why people love this place so much. I was disappointed. Cause a bit more than other places in chinatown. I had dumpling, scallion pancakes, fried rice, duck and many other dishes in dim sum category. Seriously I try six places in Chinatown so far and dimsum places. I like all of them. But this place doesn't taste good at all. No flavor. Just skip this place and walk few more blocks for yummy cheaper food.
(1)Zareen S.
My sister had to beg me a lot to come here. I was verrrrrrry skeptical, and very would be an understatement. This is probably as good as Dim Sum gets. We ordered the chicken, shrimp and the pork ones. Obviously I had to be "that person" and order something "adventurous" and go with the rice filled cuties. They surprisingly tasted pretty good, if you are looking for something heavy and a bit more filling i guess. It would be safe to say, all their Dim Sum probably tastes good. 4 stars instead of 5? I am slightly OCD when it comes to cleaning restaurants [since i work in two], and the star had everything to do with how clean the place is and nothing to do with the food. Sorray!
(4)Sean B.
Quick, simple, delicious, cheap. They have a limited but good menu and the service is friendly and fast. These won't be the best dumplings or shu mai you've ever had, but they will be good enough and they will be cheap as hell. Great place for a quick, relatively-healthy bite to eat.
(4)Art C.
Was gonna go to Rangoon for lunch today. Glad I decided to do that some other time. Lunch at DSG was awesome. My friend and I had: Cabbage & Chili Soup- excellent (only $1.50!) Seaweed salad- very nice Pork soup dumplings- to die for Fried Veg Dumplings- exquisite, tiny diced tofu, chives & other veg, way better than typical veg dumplings Cold cucumber- very nice, I wonder if the the cukes are slightly fermented, definitely more going on than typical Chinese cold cucumber salad Another order of pork soup dumplings, we couldn't resist. We left stuffed and happy, the bill was only $26.95! YUM!
(5)Ernest S.
If you like judging a book by its cover, you probably wouldn't step in here. Which is cool, cause that just ensures a table for me to enjoy some xiao long bao! These little guys are definitely soupy and hot enough to burn the mouth if you take too large of a bite - in other words, they're pretty legit. My pickled veggie and beef noodle soup was a little salty. Guess you can't win with everything.
(4)johnnie u.
Believe the hype, the rumors are true. Dim Sum Garden has a cheerless exterior under the bus terminal complex, and the interior is an assault of bright neon and hand-written signs. But one doesn't go here for the atmosphere, it's all about the dumplings. I've sampled xiao long bao (soup dumplings) every place between Shanghai and Manhattan and Dim Sum Garden is as good as any I've had. Scallion pancakes are crispy without being greasy.
(4)Thuy F.
i absolutely love the soup dumplings here. plenty of flavor and they even show u how to eat it correctly. only gripe i have about this place is that service sucks
(5)Bob S.
I am kinda sorta a fan... I liked the food, but the place was freezing! Now about the food.... After a hard day of shopping at the King of Prussia mall we decided on some dim sum. When you first arrive you feel like you just walked into an annex of the chinese bus station next door...the decor is sparse and utilitarian...however peruse the menu and your thoughts change....I thought myself, "Let's have some fun." And so I did. I started with the pork dumpling soup. Dumplings were tasty but the broth was metallic tasting. Weird huh? Next up was fried egg, tomatoes, pickes, and baby bok choy....sounds gross right? Well, it worked. It was tasty as all can be. I am making it for breakfast... Next up was pork and crab something or others...they were mini explosins of pork and crab that I had to receive special instructions on how to eat. Service - is fast and mercenary. Tea - weak and metallic. Homeless people wander in at times. But hey this is Philly... Bathrooms - no idea. Did not want to know really.
(4)Ryan T.
Had the napa/pork and shrimp dumplings as well as the steamed pork juicy buns (one of their specialties). Everything was fresh, flavorful, and served quickly. Our first visit to Philly and Dim Sum Garden won't be our last!
(5)Paul P.
Wow! What a great meal. The Dim Sum was unique and tasty. Ordered the pork and crab soup dumpling, Shu Mai, Har Gao, Smoked Fish, Bok Choi and roasted duck. I wasn't successful in not making a mess with the soup dumpling, but it was so worth it in my mouth. It tasted like a wonton soup wrapped up in a dumpling. The Shu Mai normal ground pork filling was mixed with sticky rice - good creation. The Bok Choi and Fish was exceptional as well. The only dish that did not feel up to par was the the duck, only because it was normal. The server girl was very helpful and attentive. Will definitely recommend to others.
(4)Hoa T.
Yup it's official. I do not like their xiao long bao. I tried them again today and they are still pretty bland. Really, where is the crab in the filling? Did not taste it at all. The chive dumplings still taste great thank god or this would have been 2 stars for sure.
(3)Zeaten T.
Pork soup dumplings (juicy buns), best in Philly! The steamed vegetable dumplings were hand made and really good as well. I usually go here first for soup-dumpling appetizer then up to race street for the rest.
(5)Adam B.
I had a pretty good dim sum experience here, although I didn't see fun rolls on the menu. The siu mai were different than anything I've had. It seemed more of a rice/pork mix inside of the same wrapper... similar to a sticky rice filling. They had some non normal dim sum items. We tried one of them, but I can't remember the name. It was a pasty taro cake, with a big emphasis on pasty. Very good. We had some pancakes that we didn't like. It seemed like an unsalted, greasy tortilla chip.
(4)Cherryl L.
I can't believe this place exist in Philly. I lived here for so long and have passed this place so many times. I just didn't think it was a well worth it dim sum place. Now from this day on I would say that ........... Yes, I am a fan of this place. Surely, I"ll go back to this place again. I tried the pan fried pork dumplings, at first I thought I wouldn't like it. I actually love it. Never had anything like this from any other place. It's good with the dumpling sauce. Scallion pancakes- it's crunchy although it's oily so I just had some napkins to wipe the oil off from it. It's actually cheap $2.50 for one order. Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns- didn't expect that it will be like that coz I've never had it anywhere. It was hot so be careful not to put right away in your mouth or else it will burn you. I will def go back to this place!
(4)Donna C.
I really really wanted to like this place. As a general rule, after a full day of traveling dives with cheap, delicious comfort food are usually where I tend to gravitate. Dim Sum Garden looked like it was possibly capable of fulfiling all three. The place is divey. Think fluorescent lighting, rickety furniture and drop ceilings. The food is cheap-ish. An order of soup dumplings (which are pretty good) will run you about $7. An order of pan fried noodles with vegetables (meh) or maypo tofu (eh) will run you about $6.50. If you want bubble tea (I've made better, in my kitchen. Seriously) tack on another $3. The food isn't very delicous. Very salty and kind of greasy yes. I wouldn't say it was delicious though. The soup dumplings were good (To be honest, the name Dim Sum Garden is a bit of a misnomer. They actually have more dumplings than dim sum on the menu. But, I digress) but everything else was kind of meh. The noodles were overcooked and oversauced. The General Tso's chicken was a littly on the mushy side. AND we got charged $6.50 for a small plate of asparagus that we didn't order. I'd probably try one of the many other Chinese restaurants in the area before I ever go back to this place.
(2)Joyce L.
Stopped by for the high rate review. BUT Xiao Long Bo isn't authentic. :(
(1)Vinayak B.
Pretty good dim sum place. Definitely recommend the chicken on a stick, scallion pancakes and the juicy buns (xiao long bao). The siumai and the hot and sour soup were ok. Inexpensive as well
(4)Enid C.
I can totally understand why someone would come to a place called Dim Sum Garden looking for an enjoyable dim sum experience. I mean come on, that just makes sense. But please, do yourself a favor and do not - repeat, do NOT - go in with this mindset. If the words "Dim Sum" were the only things that drew you in to this sketchy locale, responsibly walk your stomach and your wallet over to Ocean Harbor or Joy Tsin Lau (or New York or DC). Three little words that will optimize your dining experience at DSG: xiao long bao. These tender, meaty, juicy soup dumplings are by far the best in the city (though there is not really much competition in this category). Eating them might be tricky for first-timers, so be careful as you do not want to waste a single drop of the glorious soupiness. There is honestly no need to order anything else off the menu (everything else is not exceptional), but if you are dying to have some variety (poppycock, if you ask me), the scallion pancake and some of the noodle dishes are fine. Just be careful not to order the siu mai, as it is not the porky meaty delight you might expect from a traditional dim sum establishment, but rather a little dumpling sack filled with sticky rice. For serious, xiao long bao is all you're going to need. One of the biggest and most heretical party fouls in the history of life is breaking one of these precious xiao long bao before it makes it to your plate. Your heart will sink as you helplessly watch those valuable juices escape from your reach forever. Definitely not a place for fork users.
(4)Kendra D.
Soup dumplings are wonderful!!
(5)Kin L.
Even though the food is good, one thing that this place needs to learn is to not rush customers when they are eating. Even though it was towards the end of the night, it's no excuse to do so. I understand the notion of getting ready to close up shop, but closing time wasn't even close. We had two xiao long bao pieces left in the container and the waitress, who had the most expressionless face, came over and lifted it up and asked if we were finished. We said no. She left and came back 5 minutes later and did the same thing, we said no again. So then she asked with one hand on the dumpling sauce dispenser, "Oh, can I take the sauces away first?" Seriously, how DARE she try to take away the dumpling sauces before we finished the dumplings?!? It was just plain rude! Someone needs to tell that girl that tips are earned! It's stuff like that that turns an otherwise good dining experience into a mediocre one. Don't ever touch a man's sauce until the food's gone!
(3)Herbie H.
It was my first Dim Sum experience, so I had no idea what to expect. For a Saturday at lunch time, it was extremely busy and crowded. Pros: -The food was delicious (we had three different types of dumplings.. I forget which ones.) Very tasty and flavorful. Both of the sauces were tasty as well. -CHEAP! I paid $17 (with tip) for three orders of dumplings/juicy buns and waters for two people. -One of the servers could tell both myself and my friend were new to Dim Sum and instructed us how to eat it (through very broken English). It was a sweet gesture. Cons: -Service was... bizarre. Our waitress came about 30 seconds after sitting down and asked for our order. She convinced us to get one of the dumplings and understood we needed more time to look over the menu to order something more. The dumplings came out quickly and we finished them. Then another waitress handed us our bill.... I guess she assumed we were finished. -Everything was very rushed and hurried. I can't tell if it's because the restaurant does a lot of take-out business, because it was busy, or if it was always very impersonal. -I think I was expecting something a little "classier" or more of what I envisioned to be a typical Dim Sum experience (with the cart, etc.) The food was really good, but the service/atmosphere kind of made the experience only iffy.
(3)Sophia S.
Since my first visit, I have been back to DSG many times, and it has yet to disappoint. I just wanted to share a few of my menu favorites: -chili cabbage pork noodles, dry (the noodles are house made and the sauce is tangy and savory). The noodles with brisket are also good and have a little bok choy in them. -obviously both pan fried and steamed pork juicy buns. The pan fried ones are huge. The steamed are the soup dumplings where you slurp the broth out. I don't think I've been a single time without ordering these two. -sauteed chinese broccoli with fresh garlic. this is inexpensive and shockingly flavorful. a great way to get some greens. -Moon cake. Its a savory appetizer meat pie thingy. yum. get it. -scallion pancake. Normally at chinese restaurants I scoff at scallion pancake and think its just deep fried bread...but this is different. its flaky and light, and yes fried, but just so good.
(5)Dean D.
I've been to Dim Sum restaurants in San Francisco and NY's Chinatown and have to say thanks to my fellow Yelper "Veronica X" for turning me on to this place. The food is excellent and I did try the Xioa Long Bao and really enjoyed these little soup dumplings. The server had to do some hands on training otherwise we'd be wearing much of it but they were very tasty! The Chinese broccoli was excellent. I believe they prepare it in a garlic miso sauce. Also recommend the scallion pancakes. I'll be back!
(4)Di P.
JUICY BUNS. Everybody writes about it and they're right, man. Those soup dumplings turn me on. First of all, it's just amazing that they hold liquid. Thankfully I have above average chopstick skills and I managed to not stab a hole in those slippery and heavy suckers. Secondly, I love how you're so torn between gulping them down right away versus letting them cool. So I basically went for it and had an explosion of hot liquid in my mouth even though my friend kept emoting, "dooon't do it. doooon't do it!!" I didn't care. The pork ball in the middle made it worth it. And the look on my friend's face as soup spilled out of my mouth. I honestly can't remember anything else I ate because the juicy buns was nothing like I ever experienced before. PS don't go to this place for the ambiance. It's placed in one of the shadiest parts of Chinatown and the people who come here feel so transient-- like they accidentally stopped in while waiting for the Chinatown Bus to come. But I like how Dim Sum Garden doesn't try to make themselves fancy. They just embrace it, and provide semi-fast cheap food. But no quarters. Go somewhere for change for the meters or buy a soda.
(4)Mary L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers who reviewed and raved about this place! I finally found a dimsum place to go to when I'm in Philly. I ordered soup dumplings during lunch break while I was in the city and it was worth every penny. I've been to Jo Shanghai in NYC and have sampled their dumplings. I'm amazed and surprised to admit - Dimsum Garden's soup dumplings are on par if not EVEN BETTER than theirs! I'll be back here to try out their other offerings!
(5)Ted K.
Amazing soup dumplings. Not much ambience but clean enough (clean bathroom) and waitstaff was friendly. Stick to the Shanghainese dishes though (soup dumplings, smoked fish, shanghainese siu mai - has rice in the filling, different in a good way- and the noodle dishes, espcially the pork with sauce noodle). The regular dumplings were not so good.
(4)D K.
Location appears sketchy, located at the periphery of Chinatown. Decor is typically spartan. Had their soup dumplings (it doesn't say "soup dumplings" on the menu so just ask and they'll point them out to you). Nice amount of umami and before you know it, you're popping them in bon bons. Also had the spiced beef noodle (dry). Not spicy at all but still very tasty. When back in Philly, I'll be sure to come back.
(4)Heifer L.
The very first time yelp has disappointed me... I hate to have to make this review but the other reviews are completely misleading. First off, their dumplings were the worst dumplings I ever had. The frozen ones from Costco are 10 times better than theirs. Their appearance speaks volume on their quality of food but I ignored it because of the 4 stars it had on here compared to the other dim sum places yelp listed. The only thing they had going for them was their prices, super cheap but I wonder why?! I left there still hungry because I couldn't eat anymore. My daughter was even feeling sick to her stomach. I do not recommend this place. Its not the usual dim sum where they roll carts to each table. You have to pick and chose from a menu which seemed to only really have an assortment of dumplings. Services was poor and ridiculous. Our server showed no patience whatsoever. We ended up giving our 3 bag full of leftovers to some homeless people.
(1)Siv L.
Stopped in while in Phila for some dim sum here. Yummy soup dumplings. Loved the shumai which was different than I've ever had elsewhere. We also tried a few other things but those two were the most memorable. Would recommend (however parking nearby is hard to find so we ended up parking in a lot that was almost as expensive as our dim sum!)!
(4)Sarah H.
Once you've mastered how to eat these delicious soup dumplings without juices exploding everywhere and burning your face off, you're cool in my book. Yeah the underpass location is sketchy, but an inexpensive AND delicious center city lunch isn't perfect.
(4)Virginia C.
I wanted this to be really good, and I dragged a gf through these dark sketchy allies at night to get here.but these soup dumplings.. EH. 1) Soup Dumplings (fresh, but the fat in the soup dumplings was gross/unbearable). I was just drinking soup/fat/the dumpling had no real flavor). And I know my soup dumplings! 2) Redeeming quality to the meal- The vegetarian steamed dumplings were actually the best! All and all, Yelpers hyped up this place. Disappointed and on the search for my soup dumplings again. :(
(2)Linda W.
This place is located under an overpass a block away from the Chinatown sign. My friend and I were a little hesitant to walk in since it looked desolate, more like a cafeteria than a dim sum place. However, we did step in and tried the Xiao long bao and the scallion pancake, which both was really good. The service was pretty lacking tho. The man or lady (we couldn't tell which the server was) was not friendly and had a grim face on, but besides from the location and the service, come and try the food.
(4)Crystal E.
Cheap and delicious steamed pork soup dumplings. My sis-in-law loves the fried version of the soup dumpling. Try both and decide for yourself. The crab soup dumpling is also good, but the pork is better. Other notable favorites are the tomato and egg and pancake scallion. Pass on the Chinese broccoli with garlic.
(4)Jaime J.
I have seriously walked past this place at least 100 times and never gave it a second look - truly my oversight! This is a clear example of 'don't judge a book by it's cover' or 'it's what's on the inside that counts'. Dim Sum Garden is located on North 11th Street right next to Reading Terminal Market within the 'tunnel' where the bus station is located. The location is less than ideal with all of the noise and exhaust from the buses - but if Anthony Bourdain has taught me anything, it's to expect wonderful things in the oddest of places! Soup Dumplings. #1 and #2 on the menu...also called Juicy Buns...are a must-try! Filled with a light ginger-laced broth and pork filling (similar to what you get in typical pork dumplings) and served with a dark ginger sauce - these little pouches will have your eyes rolling back in your head! We had also ordered the fried pork dumplings - delicious and perfect as well! DSG also offers several rice and noodle entrees. The noodle entrees can either be served dry or as soup. Dry is a bit misleading as the noodles are actually served with a sweet and earthy brown sauce and choice of meat. The sauce has hints of Chinese five spice and garlic. I had ordered the Crispy Duck Noodle. The duck was fried and served with a glaze similar to the sauce on the noodles. The entrees are served with sauteed bok choy and pickled vegetables. We enjoyed our dinner so much, we came back the next day for lunch! I think my next trip will be a meal consisting only of dumplings! DSG needs to make a t-shirt that says, "Juicy Buns"!
(4)Leslie J.
This place may lack decor, but it is on point with their staple dishes. Shumai is not your typical -- sticky rice surprise! Scallion pancakes are nice and crisp. The handmade noodles are no joke here. You can taste just how fresh they are and the texture is just right. And that dumpling sauce is quite memorable..I don't know what they put in that tasty potion but it is G double O D--GOOD!
(4)Christine O.
I love me some dim sum!! Especially ones with soup inside at really cheap prices. The place is conveniently located in front of where the big buses from NY-DC stop at so you can quickly get in for a good meal. + cheap prices + soup dumplings (crab or just pork) DELICIOUS + pan fried dumplings are delicious + sauce is delicious + authentic presentation ++ everything delicious!! - only one bathroom - small place Wish northern VA had a place like this... every time we go to Philly, this place is a must go to and we tell all our friends too (they haven't been disappointed).
(5)Chris W.
This divey place that looks like you want to stay away has some of the best dumplings I have ever had! Place was recommended on chef's feed app and it did not disappoint. They recommended the pork or pork and crab soup dumplings. They were delicious, the staff was friendly enough to tell me how to eat them also and which of the condiments were to be used with what I ordered. Go don;t be scared of the looks of it and enjoy the food.
(4)JR W.
Okay...I only go for 2 things (sometimes 3): pork soup dumplings pan fried pork soup bun (shrimp dumpling) Although soup dumplings have become synonymous with Shanghai, they are actually offered all over the region in China. The pan fried soup bun is a rare creature, originated and typically can be found only in Shanghai and its outskirts. Anyway, both are really good. The KEY is that you must eat them while they are hot. Take out is a no-no bc the soup quickly gelatinizes. In fact, the owner might berate you if you do not remember this. They prepare everything fresh so the pan fried ones will take at least 15 min, but the steamed soup dumplings are much faster. It's definitely hole in the wall, too busy for the small space, and somewhat suspect in terms of cleanliness (my baby caught a cold bug 2 out of the last 3 times we've gone), but one bite, and you'll understand why we keep going back.
(4)David L.
Overall, I can sum up with: good Dim Sum. I haven't ordered anything off the menu, and that's not what they specialize in, but for dim sum I don't think you can find anything better in Philly. The matuan (sesame-coated glutinous rice balls stuffed with red bean) were every bit as good as the ones I got most mornings in China, and the siu mai was top-notch. Everything else we ordered was almost as good. The staff was friendly enough, and willing to entertain my poor attempts at quizzing them about the contents of various dumplings in Cantonese. They also understood my follow-up queries in Mandarin, and replied in either Mandarin or English to allow me to save some face. Manager was both polite and tolerant of my chatting with him on the way out. The atmosphere left something to be desired; though it was very "dim sum," it was a little on the drab side. I've been in some truly palatial dim sum kitchens before, and this didn't quite measure up. The food, though, did.
(4)Loi D.
The food was delicious, but unfortunately the service was really bad. The staff here was completely unorganized. For a restaurant that size there should be more than one person taking orders and seating the guests. Because of this the waitress to our table completely forgot about our order and continued to service people after us. The first thing we ordered was their well known soup dumplings. Before even getting our dumplings other tables were being served theirs. Tables that definitely came in after we did. The staff was so lost at one point we can over hear other tables complaining that they got the wrong order. Tips to help them: Serve your current customers before trying to multitask with seating new ones. The manager needs to help organize the waitress so that the right orders go to the right tables in a timely manner. If the manager can't do this hire a hostess so that it's one less task for the waiter/waitress to handle. Know your own menu. If there's something on the menu that's no longer available, tell the customer that.
(1)Dianna L.
I'm giving this place five stars for the xiao long bao. Definitely the best I've had outside of china. Don't let it's under the bridge location and glass box look keep you from going in and trying the food. Otherwise, you will be missing out.
(5)Lynn D.
The dumplings are pretty damn good - thank you fellow yelpers. The inside is pretty decent compared to its location - the lime green paint sort of reminds me of a frozen yogurt place. The service is alright - pretty typical. They take your order, take your money, and bring your food out. They aim to do all of these pretty quickly as soon as you approach the counter. There's not really any leeway for small talk (or sometimes general decency and politeness), but it's best not to take it personally. Since the dumplings weren't going to be filling, I ordered the Peking duck noodle soup. Please, PLEASE do not order this. The broth has no flavor, the veggies were droopy, and the noodles are flat, powdery, rubbery, chewy...I just can't. The duck was good, but that's pretty easy to accomplish, being in the Duck Capital of Philly and all.
(3)Yvette W.
Most authentic Shanghai dim sum in the city. Reminds me of home! I love coming here on a lazy weekend. It's a great little unassuming place underneath the convention center with amazing traditional Chinese "dim sum". The food here are the types you can find along the street carts or in small "dian xing" restaurants in China. Get the Shanghai soup dumplings and the pan fried dumplings. They are by far the best I've had in the states. The fillings are filled with perfect about of pork to fat ratio. The soup doesn't get too oily. They don't have the rolling carts for dim sum but that's more a Cantonese tradition and this is a Shanghai-nese place. Also try the turnip cake and the wonton soup.
(5)Christina K.
The only place I've eaten at in Philadelphia that has good xiao long bao, or makes it for that matter. Every time I come here, its good and its consistent. Service is fast and everything always tastes fresh, not frozen. Pretty much a hole in the wall in a delightful location (sarcasm) but they do their job well at delivering good food to many patrons a day. Usually order the same thing every time with variation from here and there. Xiao long bao with pork, or crab meat and pork - soupy and delicious Pan fried juicy pork buns - meaty and crispy Scallion pancake - crunchy and addicting Pan fried chive and pork dumplings - crispy outside and moist filling Shanghai wonton soup - flavorful broth with seaweed and tender wontons Never had a disappointing meal here and love either the vinegar or dumpling sauce mixed with red chili oil. Although the outside looks sketchy and like a corner store Chinese take out restaurant, it is definitely worth it.
(5)Jemma C.
Yum yum dim sum. This place is beyond cheap, it's practically free! The service was warm and efficient and the dumplings were delicious. We ordered way too much food and yet still managed to get through it all as it was so tasty. $14 each including tip for full bellies? Yes please.
(4)Wendy W.
Absolutely the best Dim Sum in town!
(5)Chris W.
Best dumplings in PA. They will change your life and worth the trip every time. I went here with my college friends @ del val college and we took pictures with the owner, who is so humble. Dim Sum Garden has the best dumplings In Pa and is extremely affordable.
(5)Elise K.
This is probably the best and most memorable dim sum I've had in Philly. Don't go for the ambiance, and don't expect white linen tablecloth service. It's fast, friendly and delicious. Four people stuffed ourselves here for under $45, which is also a huge draw considering how quality the flavors are. Of course we had soup dumplings (need to work on perfecting my soup dumpling technique), which were a hit with everyone. Other great dishes - scallion pancakes, shrimp dumplings, seaweed salad and sautéed bok choy by our server's recommendation (a surprise favorite). We also had some sort of minced pork noodles - very good, but sort of a poor man's Han Dynasty dan dan. It was packed on a random weekend afternoon, but it's totally worth the wait (or even having to eat standing up - you won't be able to help yourself)!
(5)Josie L.
Here's another place that I wasn't sure about when passing by. The place is next to the bus terminal and it's pretty much a hole in the wall. Alright, let's go in... Had to order Xiao Long Bao or soup dumpling because it was recommended. The skin/wrap of the dumpling was really nice. It wasn't too thin or thick. The juice or soup of the dumpling was a little too sweet for me. The dumpling is much better than Joe's Shanghai from NYC. The dumplings here were fresh. I saw them making it. This place has an AWESOME scallion pancakes. I like it how it's thin and crispy. I get turned off by doughy pancakes. The sauce that goes with it is really good too. It has a taste of sweetness. Pickled cabbage with pork noodle soup was a disaster. The noodles were overcooked. There was not much of a taste with the dish.
(3)Kay K.
Came here right before I went back to NYC. It's a cozy spot near a shady bus station. We went around 11 am and the place was empty. The waitress lady was very nice. We ordered pork soup dumplings, crab and pork soup dumplings, pork and chive pan dumplings, and shrimp dumplings. Everything tasted great. But I found shrimp dumplings a little bit on the salty side. Reasonable prices as well. Would return again to try more of their dishes.
(4)Victor K.
Definitely cheap and delicious. Me with three others ordered two orders of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and four separate noodle dishes for 38.80 and we were stuffed. Definitely well hidden but definitely worth stopping by
(4)Saman S.
Pretty good, you'll get a decent meal for a good price.
(3)Millhouse R.
I came back here a couple of days ago and wasn't disappointed. On principal alone, just by serving duck gizzards to a round-eye like me without giving me an argument, this place has earned its keep. The gizzards have a nice salty (they're sprinkled with salt water) and roast duck (as in they were removed after a whole duck has been cooked) and offal flavor. Pan fried pork dumpling with chives were also delicious. Moist, liquid and separate and pronounced chive and pork flavor, the dumpling almost melts in your mouth if it wasn't for the earthy tasting skin, which absorbs some of the liquid. My seafood rolls, although mostly cabbage filled, were also good. A nice crispy and greasy skin surrounds a hearty mess of cabbage. Truly a keeper.
(4)Pauline S.
I came here recently and it is still a solid place to get shanghai juicy/soup dumplings in Philly (I've tried sang kee's version and it is always soupless). I shared 3 sets of the pork and 1 of crab mixed with pork with 2 other people. I felt like I enjoyed the crab one more but only because I got tired of eating the same pork over and over. Perhaps I would try the vegetable version next time!
(3)Jess L.
Yes, the decor is reminiscent of a school cafeteria. Yes, it is in the most non-scenic location in the city. But, oh man, I've never eaten anything here that was less than really, really good. The soup dumplings are just about perfect. I tend to get them with the scallion pancakes (delish) and/or the sesame cucumber salad (really nice cold counterpoint to the burn-you-tongue-hot soup dumplings.) So, not a date-night place (unless your date is AWESOME) but some really, really good food.
(4)Lisa C.
Went here for a late dinner (around 9pm). Xia Long Bao (soup dumplings) were good. Skin was not too thick or thin and there was an adequate amount of soup. The vinegar that they have in the jar is too strong tasting for the XLBs though. Chilli cabbage shredded pork noodle (lo mein noodle) was okay, It wasn't too greasy, which is always a good thing. Hot and sour soup was NOT what I expected. It was NOT spicy and it was NOT sour. It was slightly sweet, perhaps from the pieces of tomatoes they add in there. The consistency was also a bit watery. Price was decent. About 15 for all 3 dishes.
(2)Herb L.
Haven't been myself recently, but my wife's been a few times, and she says the service isn't as good as previous. The better staff got shifted to their new place Sakura down the street, we think. Any updates/commentary/corrobation of that from folks?
(3)Rethna E.
Definitely the most amazing place in Philadelphia for dim sum. I tried it a couple months back and now whenever anyone has a dim sum craving, I am so there with them! This is an incredible place with good service and a wide selection and you get so much food for little money! I can see why they do so well! I am so impressed with the quality of food here and how low key it is, and I can see why it is always doing well. Forgive the location a little, it looks a little sketchy but it is perfect and a bowl of comfort when they come towards you with those steaming buns.
(5)Mike M.
Bus depot. Fried chicken joint. Bum. Wawa. Wait, there's something else on 11th Street underneath that dingy Convention Center overhang... Dim Sum Garden! The main point of our visit was Xiao Long Bao, known to us white people as Soup Dumplings. We got the pork filled ones and loved every bite. They were in the upper rung of Asian dishes I've ever had. We also got the duck over noodles. The duck was cooked really well and the noodles were spectacular. Actually, we started to order the duck over rice but the waitress was kind enough to steer us in the right direction. I've had scallion pancakes on several occasions in the past but the ones at DSG were exceptional, probably the best. The Bok Choy was also very tasty and we got a few other plates that were equally delicious. We were there for dinner on Saturday night and it wasn't crowded but I would imagine this place fills up for the weekend brunch crowd. Ignore the sketch and check this place out! Just look for the one business on this block without the stench of death all over it and you've found it!
(4)Mimi R.
I am a big fan of steamed soup dumplings. If you haven't tried them before, it's basically a steamed dumpling that is extra juicy. The outer skin should be on the thin side, unlike the regular steamed dumplings that you get from Chinese restaurants. I really enjoyed the soup dumplings here. I read a review about this place and decided to try it for lunch one day. Very happy tummy! ;o) Now, I wouldn't say that this is a good hang-out place or a place to take a date. The decor is lacking. It's not trendy or romantic. Just go there if you're hungry for soup dumplings. Another note, the restaurant is right next door to a Chinatown bus company (not the one that I usually use). So, eat some soup dumplings to fill your tummy and then hop on a bus to New York and have a night out on the town! It's only 2 hours each way ... I haven't tried anything else on the menu. When I do, I'll revise my review.
(4)Howard C.
Great food, service and value. The place is small and there was a line of people waiting for a table, get there early to be sure to have a seat. I would however HIGHLY recommend them to anyone and will definitely be back.
(4)Shannon M.
I've been here twice and while I agree with the other reviewers that this place is definitely a hidden gem, I don't think my experience has been that amazing. Maybe I'm not ordering the right food? Both times I've been here for lunch take out. The first time I ordered the Shanghai Wonton Soup which was a massive portion full of wontons and only about 5 bucks. I thought the soup tasted great but could've used some hot sauce to spice it up. The second time I was here I ordered the pork dumpling soup. This time my experience wasn't so great. I found the soup to taste overwhelming of seaweed. It had a very fishy taste to it that I wasn't expecting. I also asked for hot sauce that I never received. Next time I go back (and I will go back) I'll have to try something the other reviewers suggest.
(3)Jenna M.
So good! Scallion pancakes!! Damn! Lots of vegetarian options...I'm going to have to go back many times so I can sample everything. Yum! Very unassuming on the outside...kind of looks like a dive...but once you get in you see that the place is very clean and the people who work there are super friendly. They're also really good at getting you to order more food. Those pumpkin cakes were a delicious addition to our meal.
(5)Zach Z.
Great food even though the restaurant looks sketchy o the outside
(5)David F.
I can't believe there is this little unpolished gem right in the middle of Philadelphia that I've walked by about 100 times and never stopped in because I judged it by its appearance (shame on me). Not anymore, thanks to Sam and Elisha who showed us the light and taught us how to order and eat these perfect little soup dumplings that are pockets of joy. Yes, be careful that you don't bite right into them because the smoking hot soup contained inside the dumpling will explode into your mouth and cook your palate. Sam explained how we needed to open a hole and drink the soup on a spoon and then smother the dumpling with this amazing hot pepper oil that was so good I purchased a container full of the hot oil to take home (I also ate some the minute I got home). We also had the scallion toast which was also very tasty but was a little greasy but not enough to take away from the crispy little goodness it contained inside. The steamed dumplings were good (I can't say I ever had great steamed dumplings but these were good). We also had another dumpling that I can't remember the name (Sam, help me out?), but that was also a very tasty dumpling. Ahhh yes, thank you Sam, it was the Sui Mai Dumplings that I couldn't remember but my taste buds sure do and I really did like them. But nothing compares to those soup dumplings with the hot pepper oil smothered all over it. I was chowing down on that so feverously that Sam and Elisha had to stop and tell me I had soup and hot peppers dripping off of my chin and goatee (I know girls, hold yourselves back from all this sexiness that is me. I know the grease dripping off the chin is a real turn on and almost compares to Jim's dribble). The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I haven't had the full menu and I'm reserving stars just in case. The appearance of the joint gets a zero, but that is part of its charm (it keeps all the touristy ass wipes out). The soup dumplings get a 10 star from me. I'll be a regular. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to embarrass my girlfriend on this review but I just remembered that she went to the bathroom and overflowed the one and only toilet. Now she says she didn't drop a deuce and just peed but it doesn't matter. The person who overflows the toilet is still the culprit, especially since it happened BEFORE we got our food (thanks Lindsay). As a result of the overflow everyone had to hold their pee until the next bar (which was a mad dash to the toilet..... like a pack of racehorses when we got there). Thank you Sam and Elisha for the new discovery.
(4)Joylynn H.
This is not your typical push the cart dim sum place. Poor Philly for rating this place an overall 4 star, when it's a big disappointment. However, the soup dumplings was a pleasant surprise.
(1)simone H.
A true diamond in the rough. The dingy fast food looking exterior is quite a deception to the incredibly authentic Chinese dishes inside. The crab/pork soup dumplings are a must, and the sweet soy sauce in the porcelain jars on the table are a perfect accompaniment. I found the best way to eat their soup dumplings with the least amount of wasted juice is to place the dumpling onto a spoon, bite a tiny hole on the side, let it cool, carefully sip the juice, pour soy sauce into the hole, and take a bite. Divine. The braised beef over noodles or the understated eggs and tomatoes over rice make perfect main course. Dishes are full of flavor, but not too greasy or heavily sauced. Amazingly cheap, and although not the ideal place for a first date, it's perfect for dinner with a few friends.
(5)Michael B.
Shanghai Steamed Buns. Try to say it out loud, without snickering. Just try. Done laughing? Good, now go order some from Dim Sum Garden. For those of you who haven't had them before, here's the way to eat them. Bite the top off, blow inside to cool the soup down, and then drop in some sauce (if you so desire). Pop the dumpling into your mouth. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. Eventually, Nirvana will be reached. The other food is top notch as well, and I'd recommend ordering a side of some sort of veggie with the dumplings.
(5)Nikita K.
I'm allergic to gluten so I can't eat the dumplings, which they are known for. So I always get the minced pork noodle (dry with rice noodle) and it is absolutely delicious!!!!
(4)Caroline V.
You go here for the food, not the ambiance. It's under the tunnel a couple doors away from Wawa on Arch, next door to the chinatown bus terminal, but it's worth the visit. Cheap tasty food with fast friendly service. Once you sit down you'll notice 3 different containers of sauces to use with your food (fave is the ginger vinegar sauce & the hot chili!). And they'll bring you hot tea (as expected for an asian restaurant) We always order the soup dumplings (only place I've found these in philly) and the scallion pancakes (soooooo good). On a cold day, the soup dumplings are the best thing, make sure you have a soup spoon at the ready b/c once you bite in, hot soup will come gushing out (you've been warned). Great cheap find and despite the area, I've taken my mom and she loved it! It's all about the FOOD.
(4)Steve M.
Ok Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) subpar level compared to joe's shanghai in nyc/flushing but it's the best philly can offer right now. the rice dishes and noodle soups are not worth getting. it's kind of an embarrassment to put out these kind of low quality rice dishes and noodle soups. But if you crave some soup dumplings this is the place to go in philly.
(2)M H.
This place is amazing... I am a foodie and i love asian food. This place is a bit of a hole in the wall, location may seem a bit strange (it is right next to the china town bus station); but, its def the best dim sum in town. I should say that if u are looking for traditional american-style Chinese this may not be the place for you. BUT if u are looking for the real-deal dim sum this is your spot!
(5)Evonne L.
disclaimer: this place is right next to an underpass in what looks like a restaurant that should be attached to a gas station. thus, it is not called high class dim sum garden for a reason. once you keep that in mind visit this place (in the daytime i would reccommend) and actually taste the steamed soup dumplings, you'll realize that its not too bad. i'm giving this place 3 stars SOLELY on the soup dumps, in which good ones are actually hard to find. thin skin, juicy but not greasy broth, and tasty meat center is what i'm talking about. this is definitely a good cheap eats place, but don't expect mind blowing amazingness.
(3)Ally D.
Agreed on the xiao long bao soup dumplings. Very tasty and definately would return for those. But I warn anyone from the West Coast coming here to feel like SF/LA Chinatown home. I think she said this is "Shanghai" dim sum. I might have the location wrong but regardless the differences are huge. First and foremost, a shu mai is more like a dumpling with sticky rice and a bit of meat (rice ball), not pure pork with a shrimp on top. The Har Gow uses tiny tiny shrimp and no ginger, so it ends up tasting like a really cheap version of Har Gow. The onion pancake I think I've had better; it was more dense than I like. The pork potstickers were ok. We got a noodle dish that was pretty good with a nice tea flavor to it. Overall, if I didn't have expectations for tastes of home or didn't know better I wouldn't have been so disappointed. But I feel like a lot of Philly Asian food reviews are done by people who don't know better. Coming from SF, there aren't exactly a ton of Asians here.
(3)Samantha H.
There is not much I can say about Dim Sum Garden that hasn't been said before. Every time I go I get those phenomenal soup dumplings. (Or, if you want to sound smart and cultured, xiao long bao.) Absolutely out of this world, so tasty and fun to eat too. I'm glad I read how to eat them before visiting, though, or I imagine I'd be totally lost. The trick is to bit a small hole, suck out the soup, and then eat the dumpling. Even with this method I usually end up spilling a little. Just adds to the fun though! Of course, I can't ignore those scallion pancakes. Perfectly crisp and tasty and well complemented by the dipping sauces provided on the table. I have no idea what either of them are, but both are really good. I like sticking the dumplings in them after getting the soup out too. I like taking a friend or two to split these with otherwise I will seriously gorge myself. Not that I don't otherwise. So next time you maybe just got out of a show at the Troc or have a good twenty minutes until your train arrives at Market East but your tummy's grumbling, skip the toasted ravioli from WaWa (though that's good too) and stop by Dim Sum Garden. Probably the same price, too!
(5)Annie M.
I take it back! When they're on, they are on! hehe YUMMY xiao long bao!
(4)Markie J.
Amazing xiao long bao as I've been deprived of this for ages. How sad for I to be living in this city and not having gone to this restaurant. A little cozy place for a date, as my boyfriend took me here. Great for those who are Mandarin/Cantonese speakers as the selections suit Chinese-Americans' taste buds a little more (just IMO). The service was good but it was quite busy for a Sunday brunch. Though, if you expect this to be a five-star restaurant, rethink again because you have to be quite loud and make sure you are heard as they are again, busy. Again, I recommend the xiao long bao, because the skin is really soft, yet it holds in the soup and filling really well. Just don't burn your tongues on them because they can get quite hot. Btw, the Restaurant's name is quite misleading and the place is kind of isolated from the rest of Chinatown. It's not in the best location but be reassured - you'll get your money's worth. It's not expensive either! I'll be sure to return another day. Enjoy :) (Crude, Yelp doesn't post Chinese words. Ha, this is my first review ^_^.)
(4)Jason K.
My first time experiencing Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), and I have to say that I was ridiculously impressed! The place is located right next to a bus depot, and is not much to look at from the exterior (or interior for that matter), but the service was prompt & friendly, the food was piping hot, and the bill was CHEAP! Great combination if you ask me! Other highlights, in addition to the Xiao Long Bao included the vegetable steamed buns (perfect "doughyness"), scallion pancakes, and so many steamed dumplings (with pork filling) that I was ready to burst! All in all, definitely a place I'd recommend...and will be visiting again!
(4)Bethany P.
I ran into this place for a quick lunch while attending a conference because everything else was jammed. Because I'm not a big fan of dumplings (I know, it's illegal, my fiance can not understand it) I ordered a noodle dish, thinking you can't go wrong with a noodle dish in an asian restaurant. What came out was basically egg noodles with little bacon bit like pieces of pork. I ate about 4 bites, and then went the rest of the afternoon being hungry. If you are going to come here, make sure you stick with the dim sum. However, given how many Asian restaurants there are in this area, I'd have to assume you can do way better.
(1)Anna Marie C.
every time my family and i are in taiwan, we make multiple trips (sometimes on the same day) to din tai fung which is, arguably, the best place in the world to have soup dumplings. so suffice it to say, i'm kind of a soup dumpling snob. so imagine how excited i was to find a place in philadelphia that served soup dumplings! alas, alas, my excitement was soon abated, as the dumplings arrived, with slightly too thick skins, and pork meat that was a little too fatty. i would have given it more stars, but the meal got worse. noodle soup? go to nan zhou instead. their dessert soup with tang yuan was pretty much inedible. if i must waste my calories in eating chinese food with way processed white flour carbohydrates... it better be good. the only highlight? the scallion pancakes. but i've had ones that tasted just as good coming out of a frozen box.
(1)Julie F.
As others have stated, this place doesn't replace Lakeside Deli (tears), but it is delicious in its own special, meat-filled way. My friends and I ordered a couple of dishes and shared them - trying to replicate that dim sum feeling. Traditional pan-fried pork dumplings were perfectly cooked, with nicely flavored juicy pork bursting out. The plain sounding cucumbers were marinated in something mysterious and delicious! Get them (you'll also feel ordering a vegetable will negate all the other unhealthy greasy doughy stuff). The scallion pancakes were more-or-less what you're used to but a bit more fresh tasting and not too mealy or doughy like some I've had. Grease City though. There were some kind of sticky rice shumai we ordered which were okay, not my favorite though. My favorite, not shockingly, were the soup dumplings. I like any food that requires thought. How do I get the soup out of the dumpling? How do I not burn my tongue with scalding broth? How the heck do they get the liquid in the dumpling, anyway? The broth was so tasty! You bite a little hole in the dumpling and then slurp out the broth. Yeah, you might not want to come here on a date - it's not a cute look. Delicioso. Best part - four people stuffed their pieholes for a grand total of 23 bucks. How the heck can you beat that?
(4)Shirley Y.
My favorite here are the shanghai steamed dumplings (soup dumplings). Only place in Philly that I know has these and they are so heavenly and juicy and go well with a little chilli sauce and vinegar (ginger) sauce. The noodle soups and fried dishes are decent. There are a lot of dishes and specials that aren't on the menu that are pretty good. My mandarin speaking friend was able to order us some good authentic chinese dishes, several that suprisingly for me I have never tried before. I've been here several times and always found the service to be good. All the ladies are nice.
(4)M M.
Today was my first time here based on Yelp's search and reviews. The scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious, best served with the dumpling sauce (for me) The Shanghai soup dumplings were also great, but watch out for the hot soup inside! I wasn't a big fan of their Wonton Ho fun soup and their triple steamed dumplings. Next time i come here, i think im going to order all appetizers.... and many orders of scallion pancakes and soup dumplings YUM
(3)Vanessa H.
Based on two visits. Friendly service, good soup dumplings (great soup inside, mine were a little drier on top than one might want), and cheap. The location sucks unless you're waiting for a Chinatown bus, and there are flies. If I walk by some time, I'll stop by to try some of the other dumplingy things.
(3)Melanie B.
take it from someone who has grown up eating dim sum pretty frequently with family... this is the worst, dirtiest dim sum I have ever had. there were obvious shrimp shells in my dumplings. everything was greasy. there is no ambiance and everything is served on plastic plates. no carts of food. the service is slow and unfriendly. hipsters flock here. do yourself a favor and pass on this one. go to 11th and race at lunch time and grab some dim sum from joy tsin loa. you won't regret it.
(1)C Q.
This review is for the soup dumpling only - We got 4 orders of the pork soup dumplings ( or juicy pork dumplings) and an order of the scallion pancakes. The scallion pancake were good. The pork soup dumplings were really good. It had a lot of soup, the "skin" was thin and the flavor were great. I did not give it 5 stars because one of the soup dumplings had some pink stuff in it. We think it was not cooked through. We spoke to the wait staff. She insisted that it was crab meat (she said it was for extra flavoring). My kids are mildly allergic to seafood, so it was alarming to hear that they put crab meat in the pork soup dumplings. But then they didn't show any symptoms of the allergy, so I guess it's all good. I usually eat the soup dumplings with some young gingers and vinegar. The restaurant will provide the ginger if you ask for it. The ginger was not quite young enough and it was a little too thick. It is a small store located across street from Hilton near the Chinatown bus stop. While some people feel it was not a very safe location, I can only say that I don't feel any less safe there than anywhere in the surrounding area.
(4)Matthew L.
What I really like is that the entrance to this is in a tunnel. It makes you feel like you are privy to some secret, and are entering the bat cave. Really simple location, read "not very glamorous". The soup dumplings are great. (Side note, I always burn the crap out of my tongue and can't taste them, so I might be off on the taste). What I like is quick in, quick out no fuss all for a similar price to fast food. That alone makes it shine.
(4)Perpetual K.
Located in the ghetto version of the bat cave - I hit up this place often for lunch when I journey to Chinatown and usually walk away satisfied. I always get the soup dumplings and try a different dish each time I visit. Sometimes the soup dumplings are great and filled with broth and sometimes they are so-so with several empty broth-less dumplings. More often than not though the soup dumplings are pretty decent. They used to offer different sauces to eat with the dumplings but as of recently those have disappeared (disappointingly). Other dishes on the menu include various meats-over-rice and handmade noodle dishes (with or without soup). I would stay away from the meat-over-rice dishes - it's nothing special. The handmade noodles are good and will warm you up nicely on a cold Philly day. I would say the soup dumplings and the handmade noodle dishes are the specialty of this joint. Prices are good (not the cheapest in C-Town but still better than most of Philly). Service can be spotty (especially when it's busy). Best for people who don't mind eating inside of a tunnel.
(3)Yoko S.
this is my favorite dim sum place in PA. crab suop dumpling is really juicy and taste good!! it is very closed to grey hound bus staion so before take bus or whe get off bus, i do take out, also bubble tea are very good. i like honeydew bubble tea,
(5)Kim V.
Soup dumplings are a tad bit too doughy. Giving three stars because it could be better
(3)Angie C.
I loved their soup dumplings and scallion pancake! The fact that their dumpling dipping sauce is amazing is a major plus!
(5)Nadine K.
In the dead of winter, I wanted soup dumplings, and yelp led me to them, at Dim Sum Garden. It is to yelp I return to sing their praises. A soup dumpling is exactly what it sounds like: it's a fresh dumpling with soup and a nugget of dumpling filling, usually pork or seafood or some combo of the two, inside. It's dumpling soup turned inside out. On a blustery, cold day, it is heaven. Go to Dim Sum Garden - as far as I know they make the only soup dumplings in Philadelphia. Ignore the total lack of atmosphere and the dingy floors. Pay no attention to the eau de bus emanating from the idling Chinatown bus just outside. Order the #2 Steamed Buns w/ Pork & Crab Meat ($5.75). There will be a longish pause, and then a tray of eight soup dumplings will appear. Have both chopsticks and spoon at the ready. Use the chopsticks to gently, carefully lift a dumpling. The hot dough will stick to the dumpling beside it; the chopstick points will threaten to tear the thin membrane. Do not let this happen. Settle the intact dumpling on the spoon. Delicately nip off the top of the dumpling and at the same time slurp out some soup. It is hot and very rich. There is a covered blue and white cup on the table labelled vinegar. Drip a little of this dark vinegar into the dumpling. Its acid will cut and complement the rich broth. Eat the dumpling in two or three more bites. Repeat. I had assumed soup dumplings were an eat at the restaurant kind of food, but tonight I couldn't quite bear the lousy atmosphere, so I performed the to-go experiment. I also ordered scallion pancakes ($2.50) and Beef Brisket Noodle ($5.50). All made it home intact and quite tasty. The pancakes were acceptable, if nothing to write home about. The Beef Brisket Noodle was almost fantastic. I swear the noodles were fresh, and the brisket was tender and deeply flavorful. But the brown sauce, while yummy, was far too salty. I still ate it, of course, but the salt flavor lingers in my mouth.
(4)Annie A.
Simply the best. Their Shangai Soup Dumplings complete me.
(4)Ann V.
Hmmm... soup dumplings were interesting. When i took my first bite, the broth inside came pouring out and burnt my tongue. I'm not quite sure what i think of this place just yet but I suppose this place is decent. Will have to give it another try one day.
(3)Karen C.
As delicious as I remember! Xiao lung bao are juicy and scrumptious. Best scallion pancakes that I have had in a while!
(5)Steven W.
has the feel of an expanded take-out restaurant. Although they don't offer the full variety of dim sum that is available at traditional large restaurants, they do have a good variety. Their steamed pork juicy buns are made fresh and are perfectly cooked. Scallion pancake is crisp and not doughy at all. Food is also very cheap!
(4)J G.
Don't let the sketchy underpass loiters and Chinatown bus crowd outside the restaurant deceive you! This is one of the best and cheapest dim sum restaurants in Philadelphia. The soup dumplings are some of the best in Philly. If they don't have something you want on the menu, ask for it, because they'll make it from scratch. The cashier and owners are from Beijing, so you'll get better service if you speak in northern Mandarin to them.
(4)Felix L.
Talk about false advertising! So first of all, the restaurant name is misleading, so if you are looking for traditional dim sum, prepare to be disappointed. My friend and I ordered two orders of the shanghai dumplings (xiao long bao), and they were mediocre at best, even though they were plenty juicy. The siu mai wasn't made of pork and was oddly shaped. The beef noodle dish was unappetizing, and I don't know if that is a function of being fully fed or fully fed up with the service. While seated at the small, elevated table that's already pretty cramped for space, our server forced our dish onto the table, fully disregarding the lack of space. As a result, he spilled hot tea all over my friend and all over his Blackberry and digital camera. He did apologize profusely and I think he genuinely felt bad, but yikes! Also, since there is no waiting area and the restaurant was surprisingly packed throughout lunch, we felt watched the entire time. That's no way to dine! If this is the standard for Chinese food in Philly, you can't pay me enough to leave Cali for that. Ugh. Blackberries can be replaced, but the horrible memory of this "dim sum" experience can't. Oh well, at least they tried!
(1)Shanna M.
An absolute must for anyone coming or going on the China town bus. While the depot is directly next door, a trip here will make certainly put a smile on even the most frustrated of travelers. My boyfriend and I split the Soup dumplings and the braised beef noodles it was more than enough for the both of us and all together cost $12. Can you believe that! Yeah me either! True the place does look like a typical corner Chinese food store, but I promise you once you get over the initial shock, this place will become one of your go to stops for quick, cheap and delicious food in the city.
(4)Franz E.
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Is absolutely right. If the nearby drug clinics gave away Dim Sun Garden's soup dumplings as a means for recovery I am sure we would see less drug addicts in the streets. Why? Because these dumplings are super addicting, they are really good, and really cheap. I came into this joint yesterday, and I always walked passed it going to work and disregarded the place because of the restaurant's location, underneath the PA Convention Center inundated by carbon fumes coming from the bus depot directly adjacent to the restaurant. BUT first impressions can definitely be deceiving because once inside the restaurant I found the place very clean, the staff was professional courteous to my questions, and everything on the menu is under $10 (not that it matters because soup dumplings are the draw of this place). I decided to order the pork soup dumplings for $5.25, that's right folks for the price of a McDonald's UN-Happy Meal you get these juicy soup filled dumplings of joy. THE BEST PART IS THE FLAVOR! These dumplings are legit. I mean authentic really flavorful rich pork flavor. I am definitely coming back to this place to try out more of their ridiculously addicting food. I am hooked because as the yelp rating indicates "its as good as it gets" at least in Philly.
(5)reviewer m.
Based on the reviews from Yelp I was interested in Dim Sum Garden. I can confirm that it is located in a slightly seedy location under a bridge/station and the atmosphere is interesting with the neon glow of lights. The interior is pretty dingy and dirty but nothing too out of the ordinary for Chinatown (but we did see a small spider that joined us for lunch ON our table). I would highly recommend this place ONLY for xiao long bow. We had bok choi, beef noodles, eel soup and fried scallion pancakes from here. All the "dim sum' dishes were bland and actually bad. The veggies had no taste and we pretty much added hot sauce to everything. The bows were great. Not as good as this one place called Joes in NY but pretty good. The prices were very good. As mentioned, you can't taste the crab but still good and juicy. I have come back a couple of times and have tried their dishes but from now on, I'm only getting the bows from there. I give it three stars because it's pretty dirty in there.
(3)William S.
Do yourself a flavor and come here for the soup dumplings. Not the crab ones, just the plain jane xiao long bao. And that's it. I repeat: order one xiao long bao, eat, and bid your adieu. You have no other reason to stay. Unless you're waiting for the Chinatown bus.
(4)Raequel S.
i had always walked by this place and wondered... should i? i mean it looked kinda sketchy and all...but last night i met up with friends before going to an awesome Echo & The Bunnymen show at the Troc around the corner and i've become a believer! even though the surrounding area IS very sketchy (and smells like piss all the time) this place is quite bright and clean. the service is okay, though there is a more than slight language barrier. the menu is very interesting and being that they specialize in dumplings and other standard dim sum fare - it'd be a shame if you come in here just for a regular order of fried rice. i wasnt familiar with the food, but i was curious and chose the Napa and Pork Dumplings, and the chicken dumplings. also since i was in a group we shared our orders among each other and i fell in love with the scallion pancakes that my friend had...omg i didnt know how much i loved scallions before i took that first savory bite...sigh... also, another good, no GREAT thing about DSG is that it is BYOB...the tea cups we had were perfect to sip the beer we brought (cause you know we likes to keep it classy like that *wink*), the tea wasnt that bad either though i'm a such a gaijin that i would have liked to have gotten sugar packets to put in it. the most expensive things on the menu were 10.50 and thats for a shrimp entree. you get the dim sum experience without having to flag down a table and much less hassle. they serve chopsticks but you can get a fork if you are unable to use them (looks embarrassingly at her shoes). they have to-go options as well so you can have that a good cheap lunch/supper while you are trapped on a Greyhound or Chinatown bus (both depots very close by) so in conclusion...do NOT judge a book by its cover - forego the wawa hoagie and get your pre-game on at Dim Sum Garden before a Troc show, plus if you polish off your BYO Brews you save $$$ at the bar for overpriced drinks and tips. one of philly's best kept secrets!
(5)Oski B.
As we walked up 11th Street from Market, the first thing I saw was "Wings" in neon in the window and thought that our friendship might be in jeopardy. As we got closer, I realized the restaurant was right next door to one of the Chinese bus terminals and I thought for sure that this would be our last meal as friends. She swore that it would be tasty so I followed her in. Although I glanced at the menu to get a sense of what they ordered, I deferred the ordering to my Taiwanese friend. As a brown friend once told me when we were at a Korean restaurant, "you order here, and I'll order when we got out for Indian." Fair enough. Sadly, we ordered too much food so we started to feel a bit overwhelmed by the end. To make matters worse, our server had forgotten to put our xiao long bao order in so we had to rush through them at the very end as we were already late to meeting some of her friends. We asked the server to cancel our scallion pancake which he didn't give us a hard time about. I look forward to trying it again when we aren't as rushed. For a hole in the wall in a sketchy location, this is a great find. Leaving with our friendship intact was another bonus.
(4)Alicia L.
The dumplings are definitely the highlight here. I enjoyed those and I was very glad that I went with a friend who suggested we order them and split them. However, the rest of my meal was pretty terrible. I didn't see much on the menu that stood out so I played it safe with shrimp fried rice, because its hard to mess up shrimp fried rice you would think. I was wrong; it was tremendously bland and the shrimp were rubbery and overcooked. The restaurant itself also felt kinda dirty, and service was alright until we wanted the bill...it took them forever to bring it to us, and then forever to bring us change. I might go back just to get dumplings, but I would be cautious about ordering anything else.
(2)Lan G.
Love the duck tongue there! :D Also, do try the fried dumplings. They make it well!
(4)Jose A.
My girlfriend loves this place, very good soup dumplings and everything else for that matter, a must see/eat at hole in the wall dumpling spot, love it, love it, love it!
(5)Zachary D.
For decor, Dim Sum Garden gets roughly 0 stars. But, the food is really good. The chicken dumplings are some of the best dumplings I have had in North America. The Bok Choy was well prepared in some tasty butter sauce. The vegetable buns were a bit dry. The vegetable dumplings were good.
(4)Jing G.
I came here again yesterday on my way to NYC and my boyfriend and I had lunch here. This time I ordered the vegetable buns plus the scallion pancakes and the unagi over rice. Everything was less than $5 a plate and it was so delicious and filling. The very same kabayaki unagi over rice in any other Japanese restaurant costs almost close to double the price (unadon).. but here it even comes with some bokchoy on the side! All yummy and in actually we ended up getting way too much food. When I come back, a single order of veggie buns for me and an order of the steamed shanghai dumplings for the boyfriend would be more than enough. That's lunch for less than $10 for two. Can't get much better than that.
(4)Dung H.
The rating is for the soup dumplings. Really delicious! esp when it's still hot so eat it before it cools down, without buring your mouth though. It's a perfect soup to meat filling ratio. Plus, its fun to eat! I'm really glad that its close to where I live in Philadelphia. I'm not sure where to even find this back in in Maryland.. or DC. PLUS, as in most of my reviews.. I have to mention the price (I'm on a budget, remember??) It's super cheap! 8 dumplings for like 6 bucks I think. YAY! Pretty filling too... enough to share. So good, my best friend and I came back two days in a row for these things. The name of the place is a little misleading, I think. Sure they have dim sum items on their menu but its not served dim sum style with the carts and all of that. Not what I expected when I got here: small restaurant with a few table and chairs, a carry out style place. Sanitation is typical of the Chinatown area... can't really expect more with the prices... COME for the soup dumplings!! It will definitely be worth the trip!
(4)Angela E.
My lunch-buddy and I are always on the prowl for cheap eats and were happy to discover Dim Sum Garden's soup dumplings. Not only are they cheap, but for a little over $5, you get eight dumplings filled with delicious broth. I'm not saying it's fat free because once the broth began to cool, you could indeed see the congealed grease, but that's common with soups and/or gravies, right? Hey- I don't complain! I walk away with a belly full of delicious hot pork, broth and spare change. You'll also get hot tea and in and out in record time! I've tried other dumplings, too, and have been pleasantly surprised, but I keep coming back for the "juicy" dumplings. Warning: Poke a hole in the top and let them cool before shoveling the entire thing in your mouth- don't be dainty, eat it whole or you're wasting your time!
(3)tony c.
Their Shao Long Bao is pretty good. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT let it get semi cold. It greases up very fast. The liquid is a rich pork broth with some spring onion taste. Couple this with vinegar and finely sliced ginger, it's the perfect combination for a late afternoon snack. Some folks get a 2:30pm black coffee, when in the philly chinatown area, I get a quick shao long bao order. Their onion pancake was again alittle greasy. I used some napkin to suck up the BP spill, and it was pretty crunchy and flaky. However, i would discourage in getting the Pan-fried pork bun. It had way too much grease and the breading was just too chewy. It wasn't thick (which is a typical problem) but the breading was just too chewy. Like I said, in the mood, Dim Sum Garden is perfect for a greasy spoon spot! -2 stars for the oil and bouncy pan fried pork bun.
(3)Larry L.
Ever since I went to Joe's Shanghai in manhattan years ago I've been looking for a place in philly that served soup dumplings/ juicy buns/shanghai buns whatever you want to call them. My search has ended. Pork and crab juicy buns are excellent. The marinated pork is also very good too. I just wish they had more buns to choose from. Thanks so much to the Philly yelpers for helping me find this place!!
(4)Carrie C.
As you have already probably heard from other Yelpers, their xiao long bao completely rocked my world. They are perfectly made with nicely tender yet chewy skins thick enough to hold the soup and meat inside, the pork filling and soup are amazingly flavorful...pretty much everything about this soup bun is perfect. I would recommend sticking with the classic pork-only xiao long bao, as the one with the crab has a barely noticeable crab flavor. I have tried a few other of their dishes, none of which rocked my socks the way the xiao long bao did. The beef noodle soup was only okay--a little bit too salty for my taste. The wonton noodle soup was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. The chive and pork dumplings were a little lacking in the flavor, but still yummy. I would recommend trying their pumpkin cakes (on the specials board) if you're a fan of lotus paste because these little cakes are chewy, sweet, and delicious. Overall, hands down, the best, most satisfying, most comforting meal I have found thus far in Philadelphia. I always get something else along with the xiao long bao just for variety, but the soup buns are what I truly crave from this place, and they will keep me coming back frequently.
(4)John B.
Probably not the best place for lunch on a really hot day -- the walk back to the office was a little uncomfortable after snarfing down the amaaaaazingly good food. Never been disappointed, and I'll sacrifice a little comfort on the walk and a notch in the belt for this place anytime though. My one concession to the heat was that I didn't get a big bowl of soup this time. Soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are awesome as always, the turnip cakes were delicious as well, and I enjoyed sitting where I could watch them making food in the kitchen. The place looks divey from the outside, near the Greyhound terminal. The food is NOT divey at all. Trust me (and the other reviewers).
(5)Josephine L.
Soup dumpling review only: Stop #2378 of long weekend Philly food tour brought me and the boy here to try what Yelpers proclaim the best soup dumplings in the city. Now, of course, I have not had every soup dumpling in the city, so I cannot be unfair to the other little soup dumplings and say Dim Sum Garden's is the best. It is, however, on par with the best soup dumplings I've had in Boston and some decent ones I've had in Toronto (Asian food heaven). Not as good as Taiwan, but is anything? (The answer is no). The pork and crab meat dumplings are larger than most I've had and the soup is hot and flavorful without being too greasy. The filling is tender and succulent and the skin is thick and chewy. Eight of these babies in and you'll be ready to pop soup yourself.
(5)Mark L.
Love this place for its soup dumplings (i.e. shanghai steamed buns). Forget the rest of the menu, location and ambiance. Just go chill out with some friends and enjoy. Perfect place to frequent with the SO for wknd brunch or late nite. Also perfect for a quick no-frills meal place in chinatown/convention center area. I may be biased because this was one of the first places to have decent soup dumplings in Philly five-six years ago. Other places may carry it now but I'm still partial to the no-frills original.
(4)Juli M.
The quest for the great Philly Xiolóngbao, also known as soup dumpling, or my night out with my buddy Jim: First off, let me say that my friend Jim and I were poised for a huge let-down from this quest's first conception. In fact, he christened it the GXLBD2010 - or, the Great XiaoLongBao Disappointment of 2010. Our quest was to seek the soup dumpling in Philadelphia's China Town and to find a specimen worthy of our affection and loyalty. We had low expectations as he had previously dabbled in the dark arts of Philly soup dumpling quests and we both felt like we had already had the best soup dumpling on offer in the region in Flushing, Queens at a magic spot known as Nan Xiang where the soup dumplings are made by the hands of angels ( newyork.seriouseats.com/… ). There had been some recent buzz around town, though, that Philly was now home to some spots offering some perfectly fine soup dumplings, so with doubt in our hearts and the memory of Nan Xiang driving us to find soup dumplings closer to home - we set out. It is important to explain what, in our opinion, a soup dumpling should be. It should be a delicate little bag of soup compromised of savory pork (or pork and crab - depending on which kind you order), which is all swimming in delicious broth encased in a delicate dumpling wrapper. The skin of the dumpling should not be too thick, but should be tough enough to contain the soup and meat. The meat to soup ratio is important as you don't want a dumpling that is dry, nor do you want just broth and no meat. The key is balance and you know when it is right. We decided that we would sample every pork soup dumpling we knew to be on offer in China town. We girded ourselves with a cocktail and set off to our first destination: Dim Sum Garden. We ordered the pork soup dumplings and a cucumber salad. The place itself is more cheery inside than one might expect given its location under the Market East "overpass" next to a bus depot. The décor was bright; all was clean and inviting. The tea was good, which we took as a positive omen of things to come. However, when the dumplings arrived, the wrappers were gummy and the insides had a bland pork meatball, not much broth, and some liquefied pork fat that we dubbed "meat goo." We decided that these soup dumplings were not horrible, but nothing in comparison to those on offer in Flushing. In addition, the cucumber salad had seeds in it and the salad was over-dressed in sesame oil and soy sauce. The pieces were unevenly chopped too, which is something that does not affect flavor but does belie the care that the kitchen takes with its ingredients. On a 1-10 scale - these dumplings got a score of 4. See my review of Sang Kee ( yelp.com/biz/sang-kee-pe… ) - our second stop. See my review for Sakura ( yelp.com/bi ...), which won by the way, for our last stop.
(2)Michael M.
I've been reading about this place for a while and finally got to try Dim Sum Garden. Looking forward to the famed soup dumplings, I was sorely disappointed. They were pretty much like all of the other dumplings in Chinatown. The rest of the meal was okay, if a little salty. If you're really looking for phenomenal soup dumplings, check out Yang Yang Express in Upper Darby.
(2)Tatyana M.
We've read so many good reviews here about this dump and are sooo SORRY that we believed them. Staying at Hilton Garden Inn right across the street we thought that it's a good idea to have a brunch here. That was a BIG MISTAKE!!! First of all I don't understand why they put the word "garden" in their name, because the smell of urine from the outside bus stop follows you in and makes you think about public restroom rather then a garden. Well, so much for the ambiance... Now to the FOOD: shortly said it's the most disgusting Chinese food we've ever tasted. Don't take me wrong. We LOVE all kinds of Asian cuisine. We LOVE soup dumplings and everything connected with the words "dim sum". BUT THIS WAS THE YUKKYEST food we consumed of that kind. The dishes they brought to us looked NOTHING LIKE the pictures of them that's were were hanging on the walls. They were bland, tasteless ( in some parts of dough wraps dried out) and unappetizing looking. Service was OK. Well, If this is what some people call "the best soup dumplings in Philly" then we can't imagine what would be the worst. BTW all through the day (it was Saturday) we had to pass it by couple of times and saw mostly empty room there, which shows how popular this place is. We don't appreciate these misleading reviews and try to worn people from repeating our mistake. This restaurant in our opinion deserves 0 stars.
(1)Hubert L.
located next to the 'chinatown bus' stop, it looks like a chinese take out spot with all the lighted pictures of general tso's and friends above the counter. nope. this place only serves the real deal northern chinese food. and no, they don't even have dim sum. gottem! get the xiao long bao. these are the real deal. fresh, soupy, and steaming hot. the regular dumplings (boiled or pan fried) are also so very fresh. they use freshly made wrappers too. noodle dishes use freshly made noodles as well. basically, everything is fresh and home made, like mom made it. assuming your mom is chinese, that is.
(5)Greg R.
Soup DUMPLINGS says it all. This place was my first experience with these amazing soup filled buns of goodness. The staff does not speak english well so its best to know what you want before you go or just point it out on the menu. I suggest the pork soup dumplings (steamed buns), Scallion Pancakes, and a noodle dish served dry. My friends have not had good experiences with the soups so I would avoid that. You may also want to get a drink from the fridge as the water looks questionable. Also note that they generally serve all your courses at the same time which is weird but you can be in and out in under 30 minutes which is great. The interior is nothing special and the outside bus station area isnt exactly desirable but the soup dumplings make that all go away. If your up for trying something new this is your place without spending a lot of coin.
(4)Ellena S.
**Vegetarian review** DSG is best known for their xiao long bao, which I introduced my boyfriend to, and he loves. Unable to partake because I'm a vegetarian (sadly.. used to love XLB, as my dad is from the Shanghai region), I tried two menu items: 1. Steamed vegetable dumplings. These were filled with vegetables, little bits of tofu, and a couple thin, vermicelli-like noodles. These were good, filled much better than most dumplings in the US, and the wrappers were nice and thin. A couple dumplings were a little too dry, but what I really loved was the "dumpling sauce" - a sweet soy sauce that I couldn't quite place, but was great (they also have the standard vinegar with ginger slivers and chili oil). 2. Cold cucumbers. A dish I love, their rendition was good but a little too salty. Prefer the one at Su Xing. Yes, it's crappy, literally a hole-in-the-wall.. but Philly's gems are often in unsuspecting places. DSG is great for those who want to try soup dumplings, and not shabby for veg-heads, either.
(4)Perry A.
The xiao long tang bao (soup dumplings) brought me back to the summer i spent in Shanghai, teaching english to aspiring teachers. Of course, in the PRC, you could get a large basket of the dumplings (around 18 per basket) for a mere $.60 US, and they while didn't have the soup in the dumplings, the trademark thin skin and juicey gingered pork within were spot on at Dim Sum Garden. With the demise of Lakeside, this has risen to the top of my personal go to places in C-town. Also worthy of rtying are their scallion pancakes (a little greasier than I'd like, but nice balance of dough and scallion flavor), storemade noodles (I get it dry) with either their red cooked chicken or eel. My kids love their fried dumplings (guo ti). The counter service is friendly enough, but they do less well when they are busy.
(4)Jennifer W.
Probably my favorite place in Chinatown. I was very depressed after the closing of the Lakeside Chinese Diner. But, a colleague introduced me to this little gem. Ok, so it is behind a bus station and it isn't classy or sophisticated. BUT so delicious. There are so many great things here. We had a 6 person business lunch here for $45. Yes, $45 and we were STUFFED. I recommed- * The Shanghai Steamed Buns * Vegetable Steam Buns * Scallion Pancakes (the best I have ever had anywhere) * Dumplings * Stewed Chicken and Rice and the Vegetarian/Tofu dish (I can't remember the name at the moment). It is all delicious. I can't say enough great things about this place. Just a piece of Dim Sum heaven!
(5)David C.
Four stars are specifically only for the steamed buns, which are really good, and the price, which is really cheap. Every other aspect of this place, from ambiance to basically all the other dishes they offer, is not good. But since you can have just the steamed buns, it's great.
(3)Shannon O.
I love going here for brunch and getting an order of soup dumplings and the pork and chive pan-fried dumplings. It costs less than $15 (with tip!) and feeds two people to the gills. DELICIOUS.
(5)James T.
Flew into Philly on the 4th of July and couldn't get my usual post flight meal at Tony Luke's (closed for the holiday). I searched for "pork" near city hall ( I've heard of a rival pork sandwich place in the Reading Terminal Market and thought that this would be a good opportunity to give it a try...also closed for the the holiday!? A major tourist destination and it's closed on one one of the busiest tourist days in Philly...and they say we west coasters are "laid back") and this name popped up. You don't usually think of flying from SF to Philly for dim sum, but SF isn't really very strong in the XLB department. So I wanted to give it a try. Not a mistake. The place isn't as pretty as say Din Tai Fung in Arcadia, but I think the food is as good, cheap, and the people working there are are super nice. Had kind of a weird mix of things because it was super hot (well, coming from SF 90 degrees feels like the "end of days", or what ever ...dang what was that thing that those wackos expected to happen a couple of months ago...the recycling? the r- something, sorry I have a hard time keeping up with all the wacky shit the snake fondlers dream up). But to get back on track it was all really good, cheap, divey, and I was super happy with the place, thus the 5 stars. Oh, and please excuse the abuse of the word "super".
(5)Paige W.
I'm sorry to rain on this Yelp parade, but this one disappointed me enough to pull up the Yelp account after a bit of a hiatus. Not that I should be listening to Craig Laban, who rarely sides with my palate, but after another endorsement from a food reviewer friend I had to check this place out. I can live with the shabby setting, and can even look past the steel wool carelessly tossed into a corner to keep away the bus terminal critters. But I was really expecting some killer street food. It lived up to the cheap part, but that's about it. As someone who doesn't eat beef or pork, it shouldn't be terribly hard to find something on a dim sum menu considering that I'll eat chicken, seafood, and just about everything else. But this wasn't really dim sum after all. No carts stacked with yummy round things - just a menu which reads reads like a swine slaughterhouse. I asked the waitress if there was anything on the menu without pork and she pointed to the beef. So much for the soup dumplings I'd heard so much about, but my husband was able to try them and said they were pretty good. I ordered some vegetable buns which were pretty good with the sweet dumpling sauce on the table. But things quickly went downhill with a bowl of soup the consistency and color of phlegm. And , no, not egg drop soup where that is expected. This was some sort of indescribable goo dotted with raisins. It was just like the dish the mother served in "Better Off Dead "which slid off the plate. The noodle dished came out smelling strongly, and not in a good way. Fortunately they didn't taste quite as bad, but that isn't saying very much. I liked the consistency of the homemade noodles, but the chicken was clearly that ubur-cheap stock, cut haphazardly with no concern for bone, fat, or otherwise. In fact, when it came out I was pretty sure they had mistakenly given me beef. But it was chicken after all, akin to the mall-food-court-grade chicken-on-a-stick but minus the deliciously sweet secret food court sauce. So maybe there is more there for the pork eaters who can savor those illustrious soup dumplings. But for me, and my notoriously not-picky partner, the only time that terminal will see me is on the next Chinatown bus to New York.
(2)Cage H.
Shockingly good soup dumplings for a visually unprepossessing hole-in-the-wall. I was struck by the contrast between the reviews of the food and appearance of the restaurant, having walked past it several times during my stay at the nearby Hilton for a conference. The newspaper review prominently posted in their window is also misleading, as it spends much of the review lamenting their lack of a gas grill. I went there with several colleagues after the conference had ended and we ordered an assortment of dumplings and noodle dishes that were mostly excellent and incredibly cheap (less than $10 per person for lunch). The shumai and the soup dumpling stand out. The latter may have been the best soup dumlings I've had (heresy, I know, for someone who grew up going to Chinatown in SF and who now drives to San Gabriel because he won't deign to frequent most of the ostensibly "Chinese" restaurants in west LA). They had a tremendous amount of very flavorful broth inside, delicate dough, and nicely chewy filling. The shumai were big, half-open purses of steamed dough stuffed with a salty-sweet blend of sticky rice and minced pork. We also had some shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes (that the waitress strongly recommended; to be fair, I've had scallion pancakes in at least a half-dozen otherwise great Chinese and Korean restaurants and they never do much for me; I can think of many better ways to spend the calorie content than on a lump of fried dough with a couple scallions--something stuffed with shrimp or pork or mushrooms, for example). A vegetarian friend ordered a noodle dish with cubes of dried and fried tofu, which was great. Service was pretty good, and as noted, the meal itself was incredibly cheap. Overally, I'd say that if you're not concerned about ambience & décor, and are concerned about price, this would be an excellent choice. Some of the dumplings compare favorably with great dim sum places in San Francisco (I can't speak to New York, but I'd want to know how Americanized are given a certain New York reviewer's reference points).
(3)Connie C.
The soup dumplings are the best in in Philadelphia! Their soupless noodles are also fantastic. Both dumplings and noodles are handmade and worth the trip.
(5)Sean M.
I just moved to Philly after 7 years in San Francisco, so my soup dumpling standards are high. Dim Sum Garden has phenomenal soup dumplings. They call them pork buns or something like that (top of the menu). Pork soup dumplings, crab soup dumplings, you can't go wrong. They are out of this world. Also, the food is super cheap and the staff is very nice. Go there. Now.
(5)v h.
Great low-key lunch place. They have inexpensive & tasty rice dishes, and the scallion pancakes were thin and had lots of scallions. The duck with homemade noodles was the highlight of our meal. While the soup dumplings were good, they don't top Joe's Shanghai. Don't be fooled, it's not real dim sum!
(3)Amber B.
Dim Sum Garden is really food and cheap. Out of town friends and I stopped in, and not knowing what to have, we asked the waitress for suggestions. Tons of tasty dishes later, the juicy dumplings, vegetable buns, and Chinese broccoli were our favorite. We left very full for less than $15/person. I will be taking my next guests.
(4)Le Raccoon X.
dim sum garden is the best! so delicious & affordable! i make a point to not eat out often, so i've never really enjoyed a relationship with a restaurant that involves face recognition & meaningful greetings. but the lovely ladies of DSG recognize me. and they are lovely & always ready to serve my "usual": 1 order of soup dumplings (#1 suffices) & 1 order of scallion pancakes. there have been many occasions when i required 2 orders of dumplings. and once, after a particularly exhausting day at work and taiko class, i consumed 3 orders of dumplings and 2 orders of scallion pancakes. i still weigh 115lb. i've tried the "juicy buns" at sakura and the magic kingdom in philly chinatown as well as joe shanghai in manhattan chinatown, but none of them can beat DSG's dumplings. the main difference lies in the dumpling sauce & hot pepper. (the ginger sauce is yucky, but hey, whatever floats your boat) ohhhh. (this is the sound that homer simpson makes when he drools) if you can't handle spiciness, have no fear! the dumpling sauce alone is still amazing! the dumplings are soft & succulent. full of fat, yes, but delicious, almost-worth-dying-for fat. to avoid breaking their delicate skins, i often pick them by the nubs, place them on my soup spoon, pick 'em up again and rub their bottoms in my sauce & pepper mixture, then promptly replace on my soup spoon. then i swoop in for the kill. the scallion pancakes are crispy and pair oh so perfectly with the dumplings. DSG serves many other dishes, but i've never been able to wean myself off the xiaolongbao. my friends & colleagues have always been pleased with their rice & noodle dishes, so go ahead & explore! but no matter what, definitely try #1 &/or #2!
(5)Pearl W.
This is my first review ever but I have to share so others know that we (my 5 year old daughter) found a live worm, it was not even dead, in the Xiao long bao or Shanghai dumpling. After that we lost our appetite but did not make a scene and tried to eat the other items we had ordered. The waitress took the dish with the live worm away with a sorry and that was it - like it happens often. So when we got our bill they didn't charge us for the order with the worm but I felt we should get at least a discount or a dish for free or really the entire meal for free. So when I went up to the counter to pay I requested for ONE dish free and got excuses. She said that the worm was live so it must have come from the table because it would have died during the cooking process. After trying to explain that we lost our appetite after we saw the worm she had the nerve to say that we weren't going to come back anyway so I guess in other words we should pay for the meal. I ended up paying for the meal since it didn't seem worth arguing anymore. I'm more upset at the customer service than the worm.
(1)christina h.
this is by far the best noodle soup i've ever had and ive tried em all. i love noodle soup and just stumbled upon this place hidden in the nook of 11th st. and intersecting dead end cuthbert. right past the bus station. they have 2 different handmade noodles a wide variety of meets and veggies u can add to ur noodles w/ or w/o soup.and homemade steamed dumplings..this is goood food
(5)Marissa E.
Dim Sum Garden looks like your average hole in the wall Chinese place, and for extra hole in the wall cred it's in the weird tunnel on 11th Street next to one of the Chinatown bus stations. A part of me wonders if I'd be so blown away if Dim Sum Garden were in a slightly nicer location, because the contrast between the location and the amazing food is so startling. We were told to pick a seat and the waiter kept filling our mugs with hot green tea. i don't think my mug was more than half-empty for the entire meal. He also suggested the veggie dumplings, which I didn't get to try, but that's on my list for my next visit. I met a friend here last night for a late dinner before a show at the Troc. I had only intended to split a few orders of dim sum, but we ended up getting noodle soup as well. The soup dumplings were, as always, delicious, and it's fun to see a newbie try to eat them without getting soup everywhere. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, probably some of the best I've ever had. My friend got the duck noodle soup and I got the vegetarian one. His had huge pieces of duck meat; mine was full of bok choy and pickles. I would have liked a little more variety in the veggies (and more of those delicious pickles!), but the bok choy was super ripe and crunchy, even after sitting in the soup. I found the broth to be kind of bland, but that was punched up by a healthy helping of dumpling sauce and a spoonful of the chili sauce at the table. (There was also a ginger sauce, but I didn't like it that much.) This enormous amount of food for two people came to - wait for it - $21. The only thing better than good food is good food for super cheap, and that's why I love Dim Sum Garden.
(4)Bob L.
This "interesting" eatery gets three stars simply for the soup dumplings. I've ordered many other things on the menu and frankly most of their dishes other than the delicious soup dumplings aren't worth it. I will say though that the dumpling soup is fairly good. The Eel soup, though, was bland and forgettable. Forget about ordering ahead either. It's basically the luck of the draw if you get soup dumplings...you may get them right away or have to wait 20 plus minutes for a new batch.
(3)AJ C.
We just ate here about an hour ago, after reading all the wonderful reviews we just had to try it....so we drove an hour from DE and came out so disappointed, we were scared by the facade but that was expected, so, we still went in. Parking in the area was $24...which is not sooooo worth what we went there for. If you were only there to eat the soup dumplings then you'll be satisfied, however, I also ordered the general Tso's which tasted like an orange chicken and our friend ordered a wanton soup that tasted like water. He should know good food, he's a very good cook! Needless to say, next time we come back here we'll be visiting Wokano again.
(1)Dawn R.
Not exactly my ideal of a dim sum restaurant, this was never the less a perfect place to stop and get lunch. While our initial waitress obviously was still in training and working on her English, she was supported by a number of friendly, helpful coworkers who seemed genuinely concerned about our experience. The wonton soup was perfect for a nursing a hangover. The crab dumplings strangely liquidy and very hot...a bit challenging to eat. Best of all was the price. Very affordable and tasty.
(3)James M.
I travel across town just to eat there. Fresh dim sum, made while you wait -usually 10 minutes or so. No matter how difficult they are to eat, the juicy buns are amazing. Between them and the pan fried dumplings, I can't bring myself to order anything else off their menu. Little skill or care was put in to the boxy, fluorescent space, but the staff is lovable -and if you can't stand to eat there, they serve to go as well.
(5)Brandi E.
Dim Sum garden is my favorite Shanghai restaurant that I have encountered as of yet in America. The highlight of the whole place is the xiao long bao also known as soup buns. For the uninitiated these are buns which are delicately made with thin shells and filled with steaming hot soup which consists of pork and broth. They are to die for but one must also be careful not to have the hot soup squirt out on them which can sometimes be a difficult task. This place has the best soup buns I have had since I have been to Shanghai. I am serious about this as I have been to Flushing and Chinatown and not found any as tasty as these. They are succulent and flavorful and warm you up from the inside. Now let's tackle the rest of the menu. The menu is really trying to cater to all tastes. It has traditional Shanghai dishes to Americanized Chinese food and just plain Fried Chicken with French Fries. The dim sum items are definitely the highlight. The aforementioned xiao long bao are the best and available in both pork and pork with seafood varieties. The pork dumplings and siu mai are also good and some of the better I have had. The scallion pancakes are definitely worth a try as well. The pork with sauce noodle is also a favorite of mine and very flavorful. Some of the other foods are great and some are just average and you do have to pick carefully. I would also recommend the beef brisket and the mapo tofu. The more Americanized you go the more likely you will be disappointed. Be sure to check out the daily specials as there is always stuff that is not on the main menu. Recently there has been this soup which is good I think it is a sweet hot and sour soup though they described as a minestrone. It is good and quite unlike anything I have tasted though there is an excess of broth. The noodle dishes are all great as the noodles are all handmade. You can really taste the difference. So if you are deciding between rice and noodles, go for the noodles. Many of the dishes can also be served in a soup form with the noodles submerged which is also quite good. Overall there is a lot of variety to please most anyone you bring with you. Next, the pricing is amazing. This place is giving McDonald's a run for its money. Most main dishes are under $7 and the portions are quite large. I would be shocked if you spent more than $20 on a meal for two and left without leftovers especially since there is no alcohol. Actually the drink selection is limited to tea or soda pretty much. The food generally comes out pretty quick so it's a good place if you are in a hurry. The staff is great. They try their best to be helpful and make you feel welcome despite the language barrier. They started to remember me by the second time I had come there which is impressive. I still remember that I came in once when it was empty with a few people and they were doing food prep on one of the tables. The immediately started to clean up and move to the back room and asked us to sit there. We said it wasn't necessary but they said it was the biggest table and they insisted. It's moments like that will make you feel welcome somewhere and go beyond what is normally defined as service. Seriously the people who work here are some of the nicest people I have met a restaurant and that alone makes me want to keep going back. The location is awful. It will put a lot of people off. It is a weird area under a tunnel. There are a lot of shady characters outside at times due to the proximity to the bus stop. However, in addition to being located next to both the Chinatown and Greyhound bus stops, it is conveniently located close to Reading Terminal Market, the Market East Station, and the Convention Center. I actually first discovered it wondering around after the flower show. Once again, you literally feel like you are underneath a bridge somewhere about to do a drug deal by the time you reach the place. Okay I'm exaggerating quite a bit but I have taken people there and they seemed a bit hesitant. It is safe though really. The interior leaves a lot to be desired. It is eerily lit by the excessive neon in the front windows. The furniture is all from IKEA and the wall is painted in an attempt to look more modern. There are pictures of food above the cashier counter that does not highlight the breadth or best parts of the menu. The place is very clean but feels damp due to the location being somewhat cave-like. There is a TV playing asian music videos which are often quite amusing. The place seems a lot nicer from the inside than the outside. Don't let the location or the restaurant's appearance put you off this really is a diamond in the rough. Dim Sum Garden will leave you pleasantly surprised and craving more. I can personally attest to this as I keep coming back for the food and the people.
(5)Thomas A.
I absolutely love this place. Yes, the decor is bare bones, and the location leaves quite a bit to be desired, but if you ever hoped that a restaurant would put aside its efforts in 'atmosphere' and overhead and just concentrate on the food, than this is it. I've been here about a dozen times, and I always start with the Shanghai dumplings. I'm a former chef, and still haven't the foggiest as to how they get the soup into these tiny dumplings. Pieces of heaven though. Their noodles are all hand made and perfect; I brought my brother here who's been to mainland china several times, and even he agrees the noodles are exquisite. Perhaps I have the advantage of being treated as a frequent customer, but their service is great. The same girl at the counter always greets me with a smile, and knows me well enough to not even give me a menu - she just gets me my dumplings and whatever is fresh that day. You can have a 5 dish dinner here and barely spend more than $20. For the quality of the food, this is a steal. Having said all of this, let me add that they use MSG rather unapologetically. I'm alright with that; I don't encounter MSG in many other places, so I allow myself this occasional diversion from my eating norms. Try it, you won't regret it.
(5)Nancy W.
Dim Sum Garden was a welcome surprise. We were looking for a quick bite to eat before the Philadelphia Flower Show and found out about Dim Sum Garden here at Yelp. The pork and chive dumplings were the best I've ever had, soup dumplings were great, beef noodle soup was so-so, scallion pancakes good but a little bland. This is definitly a take-out, dive atompshere, but they had table service and the whole experience was a satisfying adventure.
(4)C K.
went here for lunch, got like 4 dishes. first was the wine chicken... which was interesting because usually they do not drench it with wine... but it wasn't bad, nothing spectacular though. 2nd dish was the sui mai.. which was kind of bland 3rd dish was the #1... shanghai steamed buns? this is prob the best thing about this place. It is alot better compared to other dim sum places in china town. 4th was minced beef with rice.. which wasn't really what I was expecting.. it was not that goood. if you want shanghai steamed buns however.. come to this place
(3)susan o.
i've left philly for western shores and boy do i miss the food. really. if i lived in sf, i might be okay but i live in the redwoods 2 hours north and the only "asian" restaurant in my town serves "sushi and burgers" . emmmmm i thinks i shall pass. so, that being said, my return trip to philly shall be based on the 3 f's - food, family, and friends (and goddamnit yes! in that order!) high on my list will be dim sum garden. ahhh i want a soup dumpling NOW! i want hand pulled noodles NOW! i want scallion pancakes sooo NOW! gimme triple steamed dumplings or i might cry! i'd like to think its a hidden gem but who would we be kidding... craig laban gives it bells up and the last time i was there in the summer, iron chef jose garces was having a business meeting with his chef buddies over dumplings. turns out he's a fan too. plus 100+ positive yelp reviews? as everyone has said, do not be fooled by linoleum and neon. do not question yourself with sanitary concerns (hell... its an open kitchen... that makes it 1000000x cleaner than just about anywhere else in c-town). just be freakin stoked that you can eat beyond contentment with leftovers for $15 (tip generously people!!! those girls are super sweet). and goddamnit stop taking away points cause this isnt "traditional" dimsum. for chrissakes, sorry you cant have rolling carts with dumplings and sticky rice in banana leaves. INSTEAD, you can dumplings that are cooked when you order them, scallion pancakes that have the best crisp ever, and your option of dry or soupy noodles. word of warning for the cilantro haters... YEAH they garnish their soups with a touch of cilantro. thankfully nothing like pho spots, but we quick to grab that sucker outta there before real soup contamination can happen. even with that in mind, i give it enthusiastically 5 stars.
(5)Kristine F.
Spent an afternoon going from restaurant to restaurant in attempts to find some kind of replacement for Lakeside (RIP). You can almost miss this place, it's tucked away under a parking garage on a dark side street. The scallion pancake was good, the soup dumplings were great, they have some very nice sauces on the table that are also tasty. I would definitely suggest that if you are looking for Shanghai Dumplings (soup dumplings) that you stop in and try this place. We had good service and the prices were very reasonable.
(4)Sharon W.
Sometimes, I can't believe that this place is in Philadelphia. I've been to places in San Francisco and New York, and I truly believe that the taste of the Xiao Long Baos here are comparable if not better. The soup noodles and the onion pancakes here are not bad either. The area seems a little sketchy on the outside but once inside you'll find a clean eatery.
(4)John S.
Has the best dumplings I ever had.. Get Pork Soup dumplings and scallion pancakes. They even have chicken feet! As far as the service, they only have about 6 dumpling steamers, so you might have to wait a little for your steamed pork juicy buns, but its worth it. they have the best dumpling ginger sauce and chile oil. gotta go here, its almost better that the reading terminal market next door!
(5)Mike D.
Some of the best dim sum I've had. All the dumplings are superb. The fried tofu over rice is magic.
(5)Laura P. L.
The Juicy Pork Buns are a must! The scallion pancake is the best I have EVER had. The only think holding me back from 5 stars is that they don't deliver on grubhub. The place has no atmosphere- but who cares? It's incredibly delicious! The hand pulled noodles in soup with duck are amazing too! The best part- it's very inexpensive!
(4)Cindy L.
My favorite Philly restaurant! My friend took me here. I was a bit surprised with the location, since it's under a dark bridge. Luckily, we were able to get a table. It was quite crowded. We ordered Shanghai juicy buns, wonton soup, wonton noodle soup and pumpkin cake. Some of the best Shanghai juicy buns I have tasted. It was flavorful and juicy. Surprisingly, the wonton soup and wonton noodle soup base tasted different. Both were well seasoned. I love the pumpkin cake. It was slightly crispy on the outside, chewy, with warm red bean on the inside. My friend is from China, and she raved that this was authentic Chinese food. Meal was reasonably price, and service was pretty decent. YUM YUM!
(5)Tammi T.
My colleague who's a local brought us here for the awesome xiao long bao. It's not a fancy place but really good and juicy xiao long bao at a reasonable price. Will definitely come here again the next time I'm in town.
(4)Brian H.
no cart, but that's ok! i've been here at least a dozen times and will definitely continue coming back. the service is somewhat inconsistent, especially for such a small place - it's hit or miss whether or not the tea is refilled quickly or the check is delivered at the end of the meal (i usually just go up to the counter to get it) but i can overlook those things since it is really cheap (and in those cases i just tip 15%, whereas i usually tip 20%). whatever as for the food - my girlfriend and i have never ordered any of the proper entrees/noodle dishes, rather we usually order steamed juicy buns - yummmm (only once were they not amazing since they were served on the cold side), some assorted steamed and pan-fried dumplings (good) and other random stuff including shumai (sometimes the wrapper is a little too thick), scallion pancakes (ok), triple steamed bun (not great/too bready for me), seaweed salad (ok, but once we received it and it was still a little frozen) and either hot and sour soup (once too gelatinous but other times delicious) or the chili cabbage soup (not bad for $1.50!). long story short - a little inconsistent, but they're cheap and the food is pretty good.
(3)Karen Y.
this place has chinese food done in true casual chinese dining fashion; quick and to the point. the xiao long baos are fresh steamed and full of rich broth. not as good as what i can find in the so cal dim sum mecca of monterey park/alhambra, they are still quite delicious and 8 of them for less than $6, it's totally worth the trip down here for an order. i also ordered some low bok gow for my son and they do not makes these in the traditional cantonese way of pan fried squares with bits of pork and dried shrimp. instead the turnips are shredded and encased in a deep fried pastry. though completely unexpected, it was plenty tasty and my son had no complaints. while they are missing the appeal of the roaming carts, it's nice to have made to order dim sum as another chinatown option.
(4)Mary K.
Yum I had the pork and chives steam dumplings. I wish I was more hungry/had more company, but it was only me on my adventure in Philly and this definitely hit the spot for some steamed dumplings. Will definitely stop by next time
(4)Irene M.
Very disappointed with this restaurant :-( The Yelp rating is 4 star! The noodles with soup, shrimp dumpling and soup dumpling are not that great. The egg roll is okay. The only thing that was great was the service. Sorry... but we'll go back to the restaurant along Race Street next time we visit Philly Chinatown again.
(1)Chi-Chi S.
my co-teacher/girlfriend usually came here for late night snack when we volunteered as ESL teachers near Chinatown. Their house made noodle is superb, and you can hardly go wrong with anything on the dim sum menu. and the biggest advantage: soooooooo inexpensive, as is the principle of nearly all places in Chinatowns.
(5)Shengjun H.
Ok, wow. I am so glad that I don't live in Philly, because if I did, I would live in this restaurant and eat Xiao Long Bao every hour for the rest of my life. Then I could guarantee myself a happy death. First, a few clarifications. Dumplings here - what I assume everyone else is referring to - refer to the first two things on the menu. Shanghai style (as opposed to the smaller and less juicy Taiwanese Ding Tai Fun style) Steamed Pork Juicy Buns are what the English (Chinglish?) menu refer to them as. Those are what you need to order. Not the dumplings. You want the Juice Buns, Juicy Buns, or Juicy Burns - they don't discriminate over spelling. Purist? Get the first thing on the menu. Like seafood? The second. Love everything fried? Get the third. Xiao long bao are meat dumplings with a thin flour skin shaped like large upside down turnip and a large amount of delicious broth inside. For the first two, which are served in a large (!) metal steamer stray, very gently separate the dumplings from the paper and cradle them in your soup spoon. Take care not to break the skin... if you do, you'll see the delicious soup drip into the steamer, far away from your yearning mouth. Blow on it to cool it, because it will otherwise burn off your entire mouth with its blazing heat. Then blow again. Seriously. They're that hot. Then, gently bite through the skin and delight in the porky (and crabby?) amazingness that will fill your mouth. For the third fried variety of Juicy Burns (ironicly accurate), there will be less juice inside and a thicker dough skin to stand up to the fryer, but there will still be juice - so don't spill it! You can get the other type of dumplings too, but if you do, you'll miss out on the best that this place has to offer. Good Shanghai style xiao long bao are rare in America. Not to say that the rest of their food isn't good! Their Scallion Pancake is solid, with a nice flaky crust and minimal grease. The wonton soup is solid, the dumpling soup was ok. I wasn't super impressed by the plain dumplings here, but I'd imagine that they are better fried than in the soup. They also have Shanghai style ShiuMai, which are essentially steamed wonton wrappers around a combination of soy sauce drizzled sticky rice, shiitaki mushrooms, and pork. They're not the best on earth (uh... Shanghai's are better), but they're worth a shot if you've never had them before. Their drinks are good too! The bubble tea and watermelon smoothies were delicious, though they took a while to come out. The staff is nice and friendly and their hours are long enough to tempt anyone on their way home at 10:30. Not to hate too much, but if you compare anything in this place to Costco, then you should've asked the servers to recommend something for you. There may be sub-par things on the menu, but it takes special skill to pick out something that actually tastes bad. I would know. Within two days, I had tried about a quarter of the menu and wasn't disappointed by anything. And lastly... as it seems that I could go on about this place forever.... this place is dirt cheap. Less than $4 for a good soup, less than $6 for a good sized soup with noodles to share, less than $7 for ten xiao long bao. I could live here forever and not even run out of money. Swoon.
(5)Chelsea M.
I love this place! I've been going here for years. They have good customer service and I love the waiters and waitresses they remember us. We always get the dim sum soup buns, dumplings, the peaking duck and the scallion pancakes. great dim sum if your in the area.
(4)Colleen M.
I've been to Dim Sum garden a few times - it's my favorite go-to when my mother and sister and I go to the convention center for an event, and is generally a great inexpensive lunch. But last night just sealed the deal for me for this place. My husband and I were celebrating a special occasion, and were going to use a gift certificate to go to a much fancier Chinese restaurant, but much to our dismay, the certificate was nowhere to be found. Still feeling the need to celebrate, now with a solid Chinese food craving, but not a lot of money in our wallets, we decided to go to Dim Sum Garden. We found out that it was BYO - how did I not know this before? So we grabbed a bottle of wine and drove to the restaurant. Before, service has always been so-so - not AWFUL, but certainly nothing to write home about. This evening, we ended up wanting to try new things, so we asked the waitress what the best menu items were, and then chose all her recommendations. Holy Hannah, this meal was DEELICIOUS. And our server was conscientious and helpful, and helped us pick more food for us to take home for lunches today. And the whole bill, the dinner with some leftovers and some extras for lunch the next day, came to less than it probably would have been for one person at the other restaurant. I was actually glad that I'd lost the gift certificate by the end. Not really. But it definitely took the sting out of the whole incident. The perfect meal for me here is now: cold marinated sliced pork garlic sauteed spinach shredded pork noodles pork soup dumplings scallion pancakes
(5)Serene F.
Ghetto looking as hell but solid, delicious (and greasy) Shanghainese food. This is one of the few places in Philly where you can get hot soup dumplings that are not previously frozen (at $3 less than NY prices). Also try their noodle soups - large portions and not heavily dosed with MSG. So cheap, you can feed the whole family! Plus, kitchen looked clean and the waitress was polite - a rare find in Chinatown hole-in-the-walls!
(5)J B.
Best vegetarian steamed buns anyone has ever and will ever make in the history and future of vegetarian steamed buns. Nice employees. Freaking amazing. Quick.
(5)Julie W.
Although the owners of this place have moved on to what's now known as THE Dim Sum Garden on Race St., the dumplings here are still delicious! Pork and chives and pork and napa - you can get them panfried or boiled. We've also tried other small dim sum dishes (no carts here); I remember the soup dumplings were pretty good but the spicy tripe was just okay. Come here for quick eat-in or take-out. The atmosphere will likely deter you from entertaining out-of-town guests here, but there's never a wait and the food is very solid for the price. Cash only.
(4)Jennifer T.
I have always made fun of the florescent "WINGS" and "DIM SUM" signs in the window when walking to RTM and Chinatown... this place looks like a complete joke from the outside. Then, in 2008, I read the Craig LaBan article praising soup dumplings at this sketchy place, located in the PA Convention Center underpass. Upon further investigation, aka the google, I realized soup dumplings were a big deal in NYC, but impossible to find in Philly. Dim Sum Garden is small, bright, and Ikea-filled. The two employees that are always there are SUPER friendly. They love hearing compliments and take an empty dish away with a smile, knowing they've filled your hungry little belly with good food. When I first started going here in 08, there would maybe be 1 other table dining in. Last night, every table was full! Get the steamed juicy buns (duh) with crab & pork, a side of bok choy, and any other dumplings or the noodle dishes. Don't waste precious stomach real estate on rice dishes! The handmade noodles are awesome, albeit a bit on the greasy side. I always get them with "no soup" aka dry noodles because I get my fill of soup from the juicy buns. Nibble a little hole on top, slurp out broth as loud and obnoxious as possible to garner a laugh from your dining partner, put a splash of dumpling sauce on top, and gobble up the dumpling. Repeat 8 times (that's how many dumplings you get per order), eat some noodles, get reeeeeally full, pay your insanely cheap bill, and go home happy. PS - thanks Craig LaBan! Who would have thought.
(5)Phil T.
Tread warily, for navigating the path towards Xiao Long Bao, the dumpling delight, requires both diligence and daring-do. Should you manage to find the camouflaged cafe hidden in the shadow of the 11th Street tunnel; if you muster the courage to enter one of the dingiest dine-ins you have ever beheld; and even if you dare to order Xiao Long Bao, the bite-sized bun that bites back, you must still master one more challenge in order to avoid what would only be an "epic fail." The eating. Grab quickly and the dumplings will split open. Consume them whole and your mouth will be burned. Let them cool and the dumplings grow inedible. However, if you delicately place one these savory, soup-filled pork dumplings in a spoon, nip off the top, blow on the soup, wait just a moment, suck out the soup one sip at a time, and then devour the remnants, you will have experienced what can only be considered one of the finest dumplings in the city. Grab a few trusty comrades and split a few orders of these fun yet frugal delicacies. Do not let the location fool you; Dim Sum Garden is a palace.
(4)Richard P.
Food is really cheap. The rice was very dry. The place lacks decor. Come here if you are looking for a cheap meal.
(4)Rachel H.
I'd totally go back! Overall, for the price and the portions, it was great - nice hole in the wall. If you're looking for carts and dumpling pushers, you've got the wrong place - if you're looking for soup dumplings and good food, you've got the right place! The soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are hot and soothing - a little sip of soup inside a tasty dumpling - we got the the pork and it was great. We also had buns, cabbage dumplings, and a soup each. It was just over $20, which was a more spendy lunch for us but it was a great choice. I'm jonsing to go back!
(5)Tala T.
Several weeks ago the Count and I along with a few friends went on the Free Tours by Foot Chinatown Food Tour. We walked through Philadelphia's small yet historic Chinatown stopping by at the best spots for quick eats. The tour ended with a sit down lunch at Dim Sum Garden. I have walked by this spot without bothering to look twice only because it is under the convention center overpass and I wrongfully must have assumed that it could not be good given it's dark location. Wrong! Now onto the actual dumplings: our tour guide knew a thing or two about dumplings and ordered a few rounds for the table. I have never had a soup dumpling (xiao long bao) and found it to be such a treat. There is an entire process to having a soup dumpling. You must gently place one in your spoon. Place a hole at the top to allow the hot steam to cool off and place the whole thing in your mouth without spilling the contents on the inside. Essentially it's soup wrapped up in dough served with their own special dumpling sauce. Okay. That was great. Whats next? Next was the Shanghai siu mai- sticky rice and minced pork dumplings. These were also a first for me and were a real treat. Sticky rice with small bits of pork all mixed with a delicious sauce and beautifully bundled up into a dumpling. We also had the prawn dumplings, pork and chive dumplings and many other varieties of dumplings. One was better than the next. Best part is you know its fresh and handmade as you can see through the back counter where all the action is happening. It's cheap dumpling at its best. Don't be put off by the neon lights and interior facade. This is a place where you can satisfy your dumpling cravings not to go people watching (unless you enjoy watching suffering panhandlers and other characters on 11th street).
(4)Dan C.
DSG, I love you. I always thought that you were some sort of shady hotel for weary Chinatown bus travelers supported by neon columns of light. Part fantasy world and part depressing-looking food. But holy cow, you are so delicious that I want to hug you forever. Why didn't you tell me earlier how delicious you are? That your pork buns are full of delicious juice? That I almost said, "screw it" to the fishballs because your broth was so good? I am coming back for more scallion pancakes, fried to a crisp. I will be in the loving slushy embrace of your fruit smoothie with tapioca. Just you wait, my credit card will always hit that $15 minimum, but I know that if I were feeling cheap, I could pay you in cash and walk away a fuller and not-so-much-poorer man.
(5)Sun Y.
Really disappointing. The xiao lung bao and fried xiao lung bao were good, but everything else was not very good. The scallion pancakes were ok. Probably would not go back, didn't like the atmosphere.
(3)Derek G.
While in Philly for a few days during the storm, I ate here 4 times. Not just cause it was one of the only places open, but because the food is that damn good. Those soup dumplings are the business! Don't sleep on the beef brisket with noodles either. Some of the best Chinese food I've had.
(5)Connie S.
No-frills dumpling joint located in the sketchy Chinatown bus pick-up area. Most people pass this place and dismiss it upon first glance, but if you love pork buns/dumplings there is no better place in Philly to find them. Dim Sum Garden is all about the pork. Other meats need not apply. And that's fine with me - I'd happily eat their Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings, aka Shanghai dumplings) and Sheng Jian Bao ("pan fried juicy pork buns," as the neon paper specials sign dubs them) every day for the rest of my life. Sure, they have alternatives, veggie and chicken dumplings, etc., but you'll only get that rich soup filling with pork. The noodle bowls are substantial in size, but nothing to write home about for the soup content or quality of noodles (although I do think the wontons are made in-house, and those are tasty). The menu has respectable non-meat options, but nothing that will have vegetarians clamoring to come back. Super cheap, quick, and yummy. Just one word of caution: watch out that you don't try to eat too quickly - the food is piping hot, and overeagerness may lead to a burnt tongue.
(4)C K.
Looks super shady and like you might get food poisoning from eating there, but their food is delicious, and to date, I've been there probably 7 times and never had any problems (or had anyone that I've been with have any problems). The standout items there are the steamed juicy buns (very authentic) and the pan fried juicy buns (pockets of deliciousness).
(4)Shane L.
Comfort food. Nuff said! This place looks like a dump, but the food that comes out of this kitchen can make anyone happy. Everything I've tasted here was plentiful in flavor. I recommend trying the soup dumplings since thats what everyone hypes about (they are good, not great). Rice dishes are OK, but I'd save room for their large soup noodles bowls. This is definitely a spot where you can come for a quick casual bite and then bounce with a nice warm/full belly. FYI....an added plus, this is a BYOB joint.
(3)Michelle C.
Keeping it short: -If you're craving soup dumplings, Dim Sum Garden is worth a try. The skin is thin, the soup isn't thick and heavy so you don't feel like you're drinking ounces of gelatinized pork fat (even tho you are). -Scallion pancake is tasty here. -Noodle dishes... if you like your noodles soggy and gummy (translation: gross). -Pan fried pork... not reminiscent of anything fried or pork unless you count the oil. -smoked fish is a cold dish drenched in soy sauce and sugar. - The owners/waitress' were really nice and tried to be helpful. - If you're in need of watching bad chinese variety shows. This is the place!! -Looked around and seemed like fried/boiled dumplings were a huge hit there... I'll defiantly go back but just for the soup dumplings, the other dishes do not look appetizing. Try them at your own risk!
(3)Elisabeth Y.
My husband and I came here on our way back from the Winter Beer Fest at Union Transfer. He had some chicken and pork dumplings, which he said were good. We split the pumpkin dumplings (sweet, but good with the sauce) and scallion pancakes (a little too greasy). I had the steamed vegetable bun and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food is good, the service is really quick, and it's cheap. Can't really go wrong.
(4)Caleb L.
This was the first Chinese restaurant that I tried on my trip to Philadelphia. The area is pretty sketchy, but the food is great. We tried both soup dumplings(steamed and fried) and the scallion pancake. The steamed dumpling great. They were filled with tons of tasty soup and the meat is great. The scallion pancakes were good as well. The thing I was most excited for; however, were the fried soup dumplings. Unfortunately the idea of them being friend and soups filled don't work out too well together. Because they they're fried, the thicker dough ended up soaking up all of the liquid. This place is tasty and cheap($14.10). The only down side is that they made us buy a soda in order to use our card. They have a $15.00 minimum.
(4)Debra C.
I was highly skeptical of this place when my friends chose it. For starters, the restaurant location is a tad sketchy - situated under a darkly lit overpass of sorts - and the interior... the owners didn't even try. But the food... oh the food! Dim Sum Garden isn't really a dim sum garden. It's more like a Shanghai dumpling house. A frickin' good one at that! A total surprise. The juicy pork soup dumplings were excellent (our group of five downed three servings!), the shumai were strange in a the best of ways (stuffed with more sticky rice than pork, but super delicious), the scallion pancakes were perfectly crispy, and the all house sauces (the dumpling sauce, ginger sauce, and hot sauce) were PERFECTION. All this said, never judge a book by its cover! The decor here may be shitty, but the food is frickin' lovely.
(4)Heesun K.
Had Pork Soup Dumplings Scallion Pancakes & Beef Brisket Noodle Soup. Unlike the other time I went, the dumplings had alot of soup in them. awesome! the noodle soup was less salty than the last time and had lots of braised beef in it. Overall, very satifying meal.
(4)Trang N.
SUUUUPER yummy pork "juice" dumplings, aka soup dumplings! If you don't know what they are, you need to come here and try it. Worth the trip to Philly...!! Con: typical of Chinatown restaurants, they're not too clean with the way they serve you your drinks/food.
(4)Steve L.
This place looks shady, super shady. I told myself location would never be the reason for a bad review. Once inside, the lights are bright white and had that scary movie feel to it. Onto the food. We kept it simple and just wanted to try the "famous" soup dumplings that people have been raving about. We also ordered the pan fried version as well. The pan fried soup dumplings came out first. Definitely not my favorite of the two, since this version was a bit drier (no soup! duh) and the dough was thicker than what I would have liked. The regular ones came out and looked delicious. It had a thinner skin and plenty of soup inside. Carefully bite into these things because burning your lips is inevitable. Flavorwise it wasn't anything mind blowing. Just your simple pork filling and some good stock inside.
(3)Diana K.
Agree with the other reviewers-- this isn't really a dimsum place. While they do have some dimsum offerings on their menu, their specialty seems to be the soup dumplings... yum!
(3)Lils N.
The ladies that run this restaurant are awesome and have to deal with a lot of crap since its in the center of Chinatown right next to the bus stop. I've ordered take out so many times that now they ask how I'm doing and where I've been. I always get the Xiao Long Bao (Pork Soup Dumplings) and the Shen Jian Bao (pan fried pork buns). They are my FAVORITE Shanghai dishes and Dim Sum Garden does a pretty good job providing me with the authentic taste. What makes a good Pork Soup Dumplings is that the buns need to have tasty broth and thin skin. Considering how fast the service is, I'm pretty satisfied. If you want a twist, you can get the crab and Pork Soup dumplings, but its not as good as the original Pork Soup Dumplings. I give 5 stars b/c the owners/waitresses are super sweet and provide amazing service, the prices are pretty fair, and they open pretty late when I have my Chinese food cravings.
(5)Paul L.
Being a lover of Shanghainese food, I was dismayed for the longest time that there's no good Shanghainese restaurant in the city of Philadelphia, but that all changed 3 years ago when my friend brought me to this hole-in-the-wall in the dirty tunnel below the Hilton Hotel. Sure, I was skeptic at first. If the Chinatown bus wasn't located right next door, I would avoid walking down this path, especially at night, even being a tall burly man that I am. And the restaurant looks like any cheap American Chinese food take out place, there's no interior decor to speak of, the tables seems to be burnt by cigarettes at one point or another and who wants to seat inside and smell the fumes and cigarette smokes of passer-bys? All that aside, the food is pretty phenomenal. Unlike all the other Chinatown establishments that are still trying to perfect their soup dumplings (aka Xiao Long Bao), this place already have it all figured out. The wrappers are not too thin that it'll tear apart easily nor too thick that you get a whole mouth of dough, inside there's a fatty and meaty broth, I'm partial of the crab meat and pork one that gives it a milky taste but the pork one is also good by itself. A tiny sprinkle of red vinegar and you're in soup dumpling heaven and you don't need to jump on one of those New York buses parked right next door to get this experience. The scallion pancakes here are lovely, Jose Garces' Chifa can come and take a page on how to make good scallion pancakes. Crispy, flaky, fragrant with scallions, again with a dash of vinegar to make the acid dance with the oiliness makes a tiny mouth of heaven. The Siu Mai here is not your normal kind that are stuffed with pork and shrimp, this kind is stuffed with sticky rice. I have to say I was a tiny bit disappointed since this place is advertised as Dim Sum Garden and I was hoping they would have more dim sum that I see regularly but I actually do like their Siu Mai as well. I have always been a fan of anything sticky rice, if they had named it Sticky Rice Siu Mai, I would have been a lot more content, but they tasted good. There are cold appetizers like 5-spice beef or the bowl of duck tongues that can be good if you're in the mood for it. They also have hand shaved noodle soup or rice vermicelli soup that works for the hungrier ones. Try the pork and pickled vegetable rice vermicelli that is a favorite for a lot of people. But if you're not famished, stick with trying more dim sum type dishes. Next time I'm going back I will have to try the turnip cake and my oh so favorite red bean pancake.
(4)Teresa L.
Let's get this off my chest: This is not dim sum. This is normal, portioned food. So don't "dim sum" ME, unless you got your fried taro or radish cakes, shrimped wrapped in rice noodles, and saumai THAT HAS MEAT IN IT. Otherwise, this is a good place. The Shanghai saumai was like WHOA to my taste buds (sticky rice inside?!) and the green onion pancake was delectable. I totally got the Shanghai wonton noodle soup high. Perfectly seasoned (i.e. salted just enough that the wonton flavor still dominates). Let's see, oh yes and the Xiao Long Bao was DRIPPING in its juices. And adding juiciness to juiciness was our pork/chive dumplings. Cute little things didn't disappoint. The condiments they put out (ginger-soy sauce, and this other sweet vinegar) were lovely. Mm! See? I'm only mad about the name, but my tummy says everything's going to be alllllll right.
(4)Sandy T.
I love this place, I've been to DSG on three separate occasions and it's always been good, every single visit. The pork and crab steamed dumplings were to die for, I get that every time I go there, steaming hot flavored broth, doughy covering, succulent meat filling, nothing better :) The scallion pancakes were good too, better than any I've had before around Chinatown, crunchy, doughy, and didn't taste like it came from the freezer. The decor's pretty, casual, spacious, and homely and the staff is nice.
(5)Frank S.
it's ok. But not so good. Just fine.
(3)Clarissa G.
I live in NY but I travel I95 a lot. Every time I travel through PA I make a point to get off the highway in Philly & go to Dim Sum Garden. I always get 2 orders of the juicy pork buns because one order is never enough. They are slap your mama, finger licking, bite the tips off good. Juicy buns are the only thing I've ever order from Dim Sum so I can't really speak in the rest of the menu. The service for me has always been fast & friendly. It is so worth try, plus it's a cheap eat.
(5)Nhu P.
My review is strictly for the xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Their soup dumplings are BY FAR, the BEST I have ever had! Better than Joe's Shanghai. Perfect amount of skin, not too thick and not too thin that they break. The broth inside is AMAZING, its rich and flavorful and needs no additional sauce but I still put some of their dumpling sauce in it because its great there! Pork or crab stuffing, both great! Quick, tasty, and cheap! I travel all the way from MD to have these when I get the craving so you know its good! As far as the dim sum goes, if you are expecting standard cart style dim sum, then you might want to go elsewhere first, then come here for the soup dumplings. Their dim sum is shanghai style and if you're into that then hey, by all means, enjoy! I'm just not a huge fan of shanghai style dim sum so I don't base my opinion on the restaurant from that. Their rice dishes are good and filling though. Honestly, try their xiao long bao and then decide if you really think that Joe's shanghai is THAT great...
(5)Diana X.
Good soup dumplings, small selection of authentic things on the menu but if you frame it as a typical takeout restaurant, which it sort of appears to be from the outside, this place is incredible. They've got some roast duck which is decent, but I find that their entrees have too large of a portion of rice and fillers and not that much meat or whatever it is you're actually wanting to pay for. Prices aren't what I would consider super cheap either, and you may find yourself with a bill higher than expected relative to the casual look of the place. Their crispy scallion pancakes are also fantastic. They make all their dumplings by hand, and I even saw a lady insert a huge pan of dumplings she'd just constructed into a freezer by my table.
(4)Diraj K.
I used to frequent this place 4 years ago, when they were just a hole in the wall joint under a bridge. I'm very excited, but not the least bit surprised they have succeeded and expanded. The food here rivals, if not exceeds the quality in NYC. As someone who has tried soup dumplings all over the world, including China, I will definitely vouch for this place. Start with the steamed pork soup dumplings, an absolute must here. You can get them pan fried as well, which are also good but after a few, the oil makes me feel sick. You won't go wrong with the scallion pancakes or noodle soup dishes either. Its cash only which is why I docked a star. On the flip side, that's probably why they are so affordable. If you're looking for good shanghai cuisine in Philly, this place is hard to beat.
(4)Gizelle P.
Came in from a long trip on the Greyhound on a muggy day- and this place made me so happy! Waiter was super patient with me, sat me where I wanted to, and my order came fast. This place is a family-run joint, love their relaxed and calm atmosphere. An order of pork soup dumplings was the perfect, not too filling amount for lunch for one person. They were flavorful and served at the perfect temperature so I didn't burn my tongue. And at $6 it's a steal, I know plenty of places that charge $10! After the first bite I was happy to have all 8 to myself :) I wanted to try their scallion pancakes, but I'm just gonna trust them that they're very good. SO glad I found this place!
(5)Henry K.
I came in here mistaking it for the new Dim Sum Garden. The food was so so. The bottom of the soup dumplings kept breaking and leaking soup. I wasn't crazy about the location of the restaurant (next to the bus station in an alley). While eating my food, a woman in the kitchen suddenly gave a loud scream...don't even want to think about what could possibly scare a Chinese cook.
(2)Nick C.
I am so happy to see this place reviewed well! I have eaten the Soup Dumplings on so many occasions, but recently sat down for the full monty. I LOVE THIS PLACE EVEN MORE! Super friendly atmosphere, food comes out as it is cooked, incredibly reasonably priced, and absolutely delicious. Five Stars.
(5)Moish G.
Been to the Original Dim Sum Garden many, many times, and have brought many friends there to share. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are excellent. Traditional boiled pork and chive dumplings are excellent, too. I've had a few other dishes there, and everything seems to be top-notch quality: rice platters, general tso's chicken, mapo tofu, scallion pancake. ODSG is a clearly a no-frills kind of environment: its location under a parking garage and next door to the Chinatown bus depot, its IKEA furnishings. But it seems clean and orderly. Occasional issues with language, but that's to be expected. They really need to have napkin dispensers on the tables! On my latest visit there (9/7/2015), I ordered the boiled pork and chive dumplings. I happened to be seated so that I had a bird's-eye view into the kitchen. I watched the cook scoop the dumplings out of the boiling water and onto a platter. One of them fell onto the floor. She picked it right up, and I figured she was throwing it away. Alas, no. She popped it back into the vat of boiling water for a half a minute, and popped it back onto the platter. Yum! Look, it's not the worst thing to happen, and it probably happens a helluva a lot more often than we imagine, but of course we typically don't see it. Still, it makes one wonder what other 'short cuts' are being taken in the kitchen, and after the Yang Ming debacle, it makes one think even more.
(3)Diana N.
I was on the east coast so far from home and craved some good Chinese takeout. Since it was a solo trip, my boyfriend didn't want me staying out too late, especially not walking around alone at night. I tried to order take out, but it was a little too confusing for me, so I tried calling them and there was some miscommunication. In the end, I decided to walk there really quick to order the take-out and then head back to my hotel pronto. When I got there, my negative impression of them totally diminished! The workers there are the nicest I have ever known in the restaurant business. They were very helpful based more on genuine generosity rather than acting that way just to get business. They double-checked my order before creating it, made sure I had everything I needed, and even when I was walking out the door, one of their workers ran up to me last minute and handed me a physical copy of their menu to keep ("for next time" they said even though they knew I was from California). I ordered the PEKING DUCK OVER RICE dish and a WONTON SOUP. Man, it was a lot of food! I loved the PECKING DUCK OVER RICE dish (I'm a little bias with duck - love the fatty duck skin) because the rice had this sauce over it that made everything so sweet and savory. However, I really wish the rice was more fresh because it did taste a little rough/hard and I believed it to be a day old and not fresh. The duck meat wasn't the thickest or meatiest, but hey, it was a cheap dish so I knew I shouldn't expect much. As for the WONTON SOUP, it was so huge (enough for 2 people as a simple appetizer). There were 10 wontons in there and I couldn't finish it all. I remembered the wonderful service more than the food though, because they seem to be people who are really passionate about their food and really care for their customers. Hoping to visit them again whenever I'm back in Philadelphia!
(4)Amanda N.
We were craving some Asian comfort food after a long rainy day. Wanted to try something new and liked the casual happy vibe that we saw through the window as we were strolling around Chinatown and decided to give dim sum garden another chance after being underwhelmed by the other location. The service is friendlier and much warmer here. The food came out faster and fresher tasting with a slightly thinner skin to the pork soup dumplings-- hallelujah! Delicious soupy fresh dumplings = done deal/happy tummy. The napa and pork dumplings weren't bad though wouldn't order them again. The spicy tripe dish (which is a cold appetizer-- we were surprised) wasn't bad either. The brisket noodle soup was a huge generous serving with a nice handful of fresh choy. I would definitely come back!
(4)Michelle P.
Silly me. I thought I was ordering delivery from Dim Sum Garden, but apparently I ordered delivery from the Original Dim Sum Garden. With all the hype about Dim Sum Garden, I was super excited to try it. Luckily, I've never eaten at either location before so therefore no comparisons or disappointment was needed. I ended up with some pretty yummy Chinese food. My hubby and I went to town and ordered the hot & spicy soup, chili cabbage shredded pork soup, Pork with Sauce Noodle, the chives & pork dumplings and finally the scallion pancake. I didn't love the soups. This was my first foray into both hot & spicy and chili cabbage shredded pork so it was probably more a personal preference thing. The hot & spicy soup was thick with egg, tofu and noticeable peppers. I found it hard to eat after a while. The shredded pork soup was a broth that just got boring to eat after a while. You live, you learn. On the other hand, the rest of the order rocked! This was hands down the best scallion pancake I've ever had. It was kind of greasy, but in a good way. It was soft and full of scallion with each bite. The pepper dipping sauce was a killer edition. The chive and pork dumplings were also really great. There was an option for steamed or fried so we went with steamed. While they were still technically small dumplings, they were pretty stuffed and not tiny. There were 10 to an order for about $6.00 which I thought was a good deal. The star of the show was the Pork with Sauce Noodle. We opted for the hand-made noodles and declined the option soup. I've had similar dishes but nothing exactly like it. It was really flavorful and tasty. Next time I'd probably give them a try in person though. The $5.99 Grubhub delivery fee was a little steep. The food was pretty inexpensive so that could have gone to an entire extra item. So I didn't eat from the restaurant I wanted, but I ended up with another good option in Chinatown
(4)S C.
Perfect. Very pleasant, attentive service. Meal starts off with hot tea. Food was delicious, served hot and quick. We had pork dumplings, sweet potato pancakes, chilli cabbage shredded pork soup, and spring rolls. Yummy. : ) All for just $13. Came back a few days later. Exactly the same. Great service, great good, great prices
(5)Stella L.
Went here just for the xiao long bao! I have to say its pretty good. They have hands down the best sauce to dip it in..its slightly sweet and very delicious. I wish more places offered this sauce. Scallion pancakes were also yummy! Oo also the prices are super cheap. We got two orders of the soup dumplings and a scallion pancake for 16 dollars!
(4)Ilikeboa C.
Read all the reviews about how awesome their soup dumplings was and got all excited. We ended our trip in Philly with a taste of China and left a bit discontented. The experience and the service was overall "ok" but I guess the overhype of the food killed it especially when a long tiring day did not meet its reward. We ordered soup dumpling and YangZhou(Yueng Chow) Fried Rice. The dumplings had too much dough and it was a bit hard to chew off the top. I am not sure if their vinegar sauce was specially made like most other Shanghainese cuisines, this place gives you a bottled vinegar. Usually Shanghainese cuisine serve the vinegar sauce in a cup with ginger and they tasted so darn good with the soup dumplings. Obviously it was not the case here. The soup part of the soup dumpling was so plain I thought I was tasting water. YangZhou Fried Rice came with a big portion and I was so full that I couldn't stand straight. I was full but felt empty. The dish tasted plain and nothing like what I had before. I appreciate the fact that no MSG was added but at least pour some salt or something. This review might be a bit biase since I am never tried their dim sum. For those who didn't know, dim sum is part of the Cantonese cuisine. Soup dumpling is part of the Shanghainese cuisine. One just can't be good at both. For those who are visiting NYC, try Joe's Shanghai. Their soup dumplings are genuine.
(3)Susan R.
My favorite Chinese restaurant ever. And when I say ever, I mean ever--I don't even live in Philly. I always get the following and it always rocks my world: xiaolong bao (so good) scallion pancakes (omg) Chinese broccoli (yessss) some kind of pan-fried dumplings And then whatever else looks good. Very affordable, very tasty, good service and super prompt.
(5)Sofia C.
BEST authentic Shanghainese food~! Although it may not be the greatest location or look the bestest, the quality of the food they provide makes up for it. I have tried their food since they first opened and was sad when they decided to close down and followed them till they reopened again and STILL they have NEVER failed to satisfy my cravings. They have the best scallion pancakes, shanghai wontons, and xiaolong baos (soup dumplings) that Philly has to offer. Their prices are affordable and their service is great. People talk and things happen. All the speculations about who the real owner is does not really matter. What matters is the taste and satisfaction that is guaranteed once you step into their store.
(5)Pingyi L.
Don't let the location fools you. How can anything good located right by the bus station. But Dim Sum garden is super authentic! The soup dumplings were juicy and well seasoned. Don't forget to also try the beef noodles. The noodles were freshly home made with perfect texture. The beef noodles were tasty and reminded me of home!
(5)Caliope S.
Delicious fried pork rice. Didn't try enough varieties of dim sum to rate that. Place looks bare bones, but service was quick and friendly, and prices seemed fair. I would return if I found myself in the area again on business.
(3)C C.
I returned here with my boyfriend because he was craving some dim sum. As I tried some new dishes, I realized that most of what I had was more of a three-star than a four-star rating. We had the steamed pork soup dumplings and scallion pancakes again, and they didn't disappoint. This time, we also ordered a dish of seaweed, which was really salty--it made the tea taste sweet. The seaweed and egg soup was also on the saltier side, but not as extreme. Although it's called an egg drop soup, it looks like the cut the egg into strips after it was cooked to resemble the seaweed more. Although it was more visually appealing, the egg tasted a little hard. One thing I do enjoy about the soups I've tried is that they aren't thickened. We also tried the sweet potato cakes, which were fried and crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with red bean. While I did like them, they were too greasy for my taste. Overall, the dishes here tend to be too salty or too greasy for me. However, the staff here are always super-friendly, prices are reasonable (this meal was $20 including tax), and complementary tea is always a plus. This isn't my favorite place in Chinatown, but I don't mind going with my boyfriend when he's in the mood for some dim sum.
(3)Robert P.
Don't eat here it's not the original. They moved around the corner. You couldn't pay me money to eat here again. The real Originals should sue
(1)Matt E.
Hands down the best place to go for dim sum in the city (don't confuse this one with the one on Race Street). Definitely order the soup dumplings when you go here....they are made perfectly and do not break apart when you pick them up. I also recommend their duck noodles and bok choy. The service here is extremely friendly and you cannot beat the prices. All in all one of the best meals you can get in Philly.
(5)Alyssa R.
My mom and I went late in the evening and was expecting food to be somewhat "old" and just reheated but we were WRONG! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with a smile and a menu. I told the owner(?) that I wanted food to go and he smiled and said that's fine (small language barrier but not bad). The food, we just got chicken and friend rice to be on the safe side but now I wish we got more food!!! Clean restaurant, clean kitchen and food tastes and is freshly made. Wonderful service and great tasting food. Definitely a hidden gem!
(5)Alex L.
Dim Sum Garden is definitely a hidden gem. The Good: Not your typical dim sum! The food tastes incredibly fresh and most items are handmade in the kitchen, not shipped in frozen bulk packs from dumpling sweatshops in Mexico or whatever. Try the Xiao Long Bao and other dim sum dishes, you'll taste the difference. DSG's service is exceptional as well -- the servers are attentive and staff members are friendly and accommodating! (They only speak Chinese.) If you're looking for the authentic Chinese experience, look no further. The Bad: They don't have the cute little carts. Boo. Apparently they are unrelated to the new Dim Sum Garden which just opened on 10th and Race? Regardless, completely worth going!
(4)Jonathan T.
Okay, I've seen a lot of straight one star "not original DSG, goto 10th and Race" by people, half of them have just one review so I'm going to ignore that. I've heard another side of the story, where the woman who runs the 10th and Race operation had half the stake in the company and decided to spin off and do her own restaurant. To be honest it doesn't make a different to me; if you serve me good food I'm happy, restaurant politics aren't factored in my review! Unfortunately I might still come off as biased when I say I think the "original" Dim Sum Garden makes better xiaolongbaos (soup dumplings) than the new restaurant, at least of late. The preparation is of higher quality with the skin being nice and thin, the meat tender, and the liquid plentiful. Scallion pancakes were solid, just the right amount of greasiness and fried doneness. I also got a cold duck appetizer which was pretty delicious as well. I also appreciate the effort to spruce up the interior of the restaurant. Yes, it's still underneath an overpass that is part of the convention center, but they've replaced the cheap, plastic IKEA tables and chairs with less cheap, wooden but probably still IKEA tables and chairs. They take credit cards whereas the 10th and Race location does not (at least as of a month ago). Don't count out this location. I personally don't care if it's old, new, original or a ripoff ... if somebody were to come up to me and ask for the best soup dumplings in Philadelphia I'd say this restaurant takes the cake [for now]. The only downside is I have to eat more soup dumplings to keep the pulse on both restaurants, poor me :)
(4)Alex P.
It was ok. Its right next to the Wawa and Greyhound bus station. They had a variety of juicy buns and they had bubble tea. It actually wasn't cheap. Each dish was $5-7 for the dim sum. And they didn't have shumai or beef noodles. They noted that they were Shanghai style only, no Cantonese.
(3)Luna A.
being from nyc, i had high expectations for this place... and they exceeded them! i almost wish i could move this place to the city! super quick great service and amazing dim sum.... really not much else to say. make sure you tip these guys they really deserve it.
(5)Julie C.
This place has amazing dumplings. You can not go wrong with their steamed soup pork dumplings. They are so juicy and delicious. The food comes out quick and it is always great. Also, the scallion pancakes are my favorite amongst all others that I have had in University City. I know what you're thinking...alright, what's so great about scallion pancakes? The ones at Dim Sum Garden are layered and are not thin, yet still deliver the flaky texture that is a necessity for scallion pancakes. The ambience in there isn't the best and its in desperate need of a revamp, but it doesn't seem to matter too much to me because the food is great.
(4)Grace S.
So the owner of the truly original DSG contacted me and it appears this storefront was sold to a new owner last year who renamed the place "Original Dim Sum Garden" (which I admit is misleading). I'm migrating my review to the new storefront which is apparently located at 1020 Race Street.
(1)Justin D.
First impressions were a little unnerving: the seating area consists of about 7-8 tables with an unusual fro-yo section in front of the counter. I ordered a bubble tea to start off and I have to say, not good. While I got a traditional milk bubble tea with pearls, I saw the man behind the counter putting the powdered base into the plastic container. The taste was similar: chalky and unappealing. So sad because milk bubble tea is one of my most favorite beverages and it is so easy to make. I ordered the sesame seed chicken for dinner. My friends gushed on the soup but the chicks was quite sweet. The rice tasted like minute rice, right out of the microwave. Not a bad experience. I was filled up and took respite from the cold. But it could be better.
(3)Neal C.
I really wanted to love this place-- authentic Shanghainese food, really friendly owners, and very reasonable prices, but unfortunately I was not very impressed with the flavor of the pan-fried pork buns (sheng jian bao) or steamed pork buns (bao zi). The bao zi were actually frozen, which was very disappointing that they don't make it fresh, but the pan fried buns were made fresh (it took roughly fifteen minutes, which was fine with me). That being said, there wasn't too much pork or soup within to really stand out, so I ended up tasting more dough than anything else. The bottoms of the buns were very crisp like you'd want, but it was very oily as well. Maybe I should have just gone with the XLB, but it's so hard to find anyone who sells pan fried pork buns with soup, so I couldn't resist. It's worth the visit to chat with the owners and enjoy authentic shanghai cuisine, but I suppose you should try the XLB or other dim sum items.
(3)Gina P.
My favorite Dim Sum place in Philly. Always recommend the soup pork dumplings! And you really can't beat the price!!!
(5)Lisa B.
Went here for a late meal on Labor Day holiday. In summary: good was great, service was deplorable. The food was flavorful, quick to arrive and generous for the price paid. Between two hungry people we ordered the pork soup dumplings (large and plump, good but not outstanding broth), stewed chicken over rice (deliciously tender and juicy, served with baby bok choy), ma po tofu noodles in soup (very good) and Chinese broccoli cooked with garlic (standard, but good and fresh). However. The service. Rude and belligerent to the point where I actually thought the server was joking. Unfortunately not. We had difficulties asking about the types of noodles they had (apparently the fact that we didn't know the Chinese names for a flat rice noodles vs vermicelli rice noodles was something we had to decipher for ourselves instead of him just indicating which one we could get, this took maybe five minutes to negotiate with him). At the end of our meal we asked for the rest to take home, which they gladly complied with, however when we requested a second plastic fork they refused. I mean, what does a plastic fork cost you, a penny!?! I couldn't believe it. Anyway. All up our bill was around $32 including a tip the server didn't really deserve. This was for a huge meal with leftovers. Amazing value, shocking service. If you want a quick snack on the go then it's a good location. Just be prepared for service that's ambivalent at best, straight up rude at worst.
(2)Brandon D.
Saw the LINE COOK ACTIVELY VOMIT while working on the line. She didn't miss a beat: spat on the floor to clear her mouth, then got right back to cooking- no hand washing, sanitizer, bathroom breaks; nothing. I've lived and traveled in Southeast Asia for three years, ate peasant food in Nepal, and pride myself in eating at places run by cooks who practice questionable hygiene. This was entirely different. Pros: Price is okay; probably don't have to tip. Cons: Vomiting cook, flavor wasn't anything to write home a bout..
(1)BJ M.
Fried pork soup dumpling is the best, and the pork pocket is also delicious. Good rendition of mapo tofu and pork with sauce noodles. Bok choy is also really good. Not as refined as some other dim sum gardens but really who cares. The taste is what counts.
(5)Christine E.
It's cheap, and it's decent food for a cold, hungover-laden Saturday afternoon. Nothing was amazing, yet nothing was bad. If I could personally give 5 stars to the steamed beef dumplings, I would. I recommend checking this place out if you want an inexpensive, fast, and un-fussy Dim Sum experience.
(3)Thomas G.
Original in name only. After many satisfying visits to this restaurant three of us agreed last night's meal was the worst we'd had, not only here but in a Chinese restaurant generally. The signature shanghai soup dumplings were tepid and lacked flavor. An order of steamed dumplings with pork and chives was inedibly gummy. None of us had ever had worse dumplings...anywhere!! The chicken on a stick was overcooked to the point of turning into wearable moccasins. We will never go back.
(1)Kermit T.
So I don't give away stars easily, but this place earns a 4.5. I feel like I've never eaten good dim sum before. Every dish we ordered (and there were 7 of us sharing all kinds) was excellent. Soup dumplings are a must, steamed and pan fried dumplings are sensational alike. Also try the sweet potato
(4)Pete M.
What great dumplings and noodles! Shanghai soup dumplings and handmade noodle with pork are best I have had! Very affordable pricing and good service will definitely be coming back
(5)Jon E.
Soup dumplings (pork), scallion pancake, brisket noodle, and a side of bak choy. Fantastic meal, quick service, cheap ass hell, and consistent quality. I never deviate from this lineup but wouldn't be surprised if everything on their menu is delicious. Much respect to Dim Sum Garden.
(5)Cort M.
Service was excellent. Dumplings with soup inside? Try them...you will love them. We also had shrimp dim sum and scallion pancakes. We each had a bowl of soup, one beef and one chicken. We were stuffed and couldn't finish all the soup. The broth was just right. Didn't need to add a thing. Added the ginger sauce to the scallion pancakes and then went from excellent to brilliant. We will definitely eat here again if we return to Philly.
(5)S L.
Small family place... Great Dim sum and friendly staff. Gotta try Number 1 and Number 9. My wife and I wanted to try dim sum for V- Day!! So glad we did.... Green Tea was awsome. If you want good Dim sum this is a must place. Fast service with a great price!!
(5)Jojo Y.
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(3)David G.
The food was great. It was so cold in the place that we had to eat with heavy coats on
(3)Cindy C.
Love their soup dumplings and beef/pork packets. Simply delicious, and everything tastes really fresh. It's cheap too!
(5)Ng T.
Came here after work with some colleagues for dinner. I was concerned that we were going to a place for dim sum during dinner time since dim sum is generally brunch/lunch. After one look at the menu, I realized that this was not a dim sum joint, but a Shanghainese dumpling/noodle place. Nevertheless, we ordered primarily what we could find of classic dim sum dishes (soup dumplings, shao mai, shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes), a fish appetizer (a co-worker's favorite) and a beef brisket noodle to fill us up. Soup dumplings were quite good and the best thing we ordered. This should probably be more obviously celebrated on the menu because it was the best thing we ordered. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The shao mai were strangely filled with glutinous rice, which are very startling when you expect a meat filled dumpling. The shrimp dumplings were a disappointment; the skin was completely opaque (the should be translucent), fell apart when we picked it up, and did not taste particularly fresh. The scallion pancake was very thick and as a result tasted a little doughy. The fish tasted like it was canned once and then seasoned (pretty good for a canned job). The noodles were OK, but too oily for me and sadly did not come with much beef. The food is not bad if you are not familiar with real Chinese food (certainly better than most take-out joints), but it falls short if you know what you're ordering. Pros: It's cheap! Also the service was very friendly. Apparently the new one is better.
(2)Jillian N.
The food is absolutely delicious, and the service is attentive and pleasant. I still can't get over how good the food was for the price - two people can get VERY full off of $20 worth of food. The only reason I can't give this 5 stars is because the restaurant itself was very basic. Ikea furniture, bright florescent lights. It's basically the best hole-in-the-wall.
(4)Bill F.
I eat here every time I visit Philadelphia. The food is so delicious. Really it's comfort food. The family/staff are professional and friendly. They make you feel like a welcomed guest in their home.
(5)Kristin H.
I've been hitting the really yummy food jackpot lately! And it's about time since I've walked by Dim Sum garden, like, a million zillion times. So, a zillion years ago, I tried Dim Sum while living in Chicago and I hated it. It just wasn't that good, leaving a friend and I sitting there asking ourselves "Is this what non-Americanized Chinese food tastes like or does this just suck?". I remember the best thing from that meal being a turnip cake, otherwise, I felt like this vegetarian was mostly left hung out to dry. The cool little cart didn't even make it better, either. Although I still don't have the answers to these questions, I am so happy to tell you that everything I tried tonight at the Dim Sum Garden was delicious! I found myself here after a friend suggested that we and three other ladies meet here for dumplings before a show at the Union Transfer. For around $15 each (with tip), all of us gals shared the bok choy, scallion pancake, and a whole lot of dumplings! We all left feeling pretty full and pleased with our food. I'm going to go ahead and say that the scallion pancake was the most tasty for the price ($2.50), but the bok choy was something I could eat an entire plate of (theory almost tested: I shared, but it was mostly all for me). The dumplings definitely held their own. Between the shrimp and the veggie, I couldn't declare a winner because they were so equally good. I might have liked the veggie quite a bit because someone ordered theirs pan fried, which made them a little special. I recommend trying both steamed and fried: each method of preparation gives each variety of dumpling a new taste. Definitely try the different sauces at each table, too, which were soy sauce blends of deliciousness. Our service, the food, and the prices are all great. Dim Sum Garden may be my new favorite place in Chinatown! Yeah! Keep it growin', guys.
(5)Sara S.
DIM SUM GARDEN!!! GO! EAT DELICIOUS DUMPlINGS!!!! Ok- back to using my indoor voice. My love/dining companion and I have been coming here for years and I can't believe I haven't submitted a review. Each visit makes me excited to return. Items that you must order to fully fall madly in dumpling love: -steamed pork dumplings (soupy goodness awaits!) -pan fried veggie dumplings. They're big time tasty. -Shanghai SiuMai, a lovely combination of sweet sticky rice, pork and mushrooms. -daikon cake (turnip cake as said by the waiter) Something that has really made me love coming here is that when its quiet sometimes you catch somebody hand making the dumplings. And the value is hard to beat. I took one star away because when its busy it can be utter chaos and there is little organization for moments like that.
(4)Isaac N.
Loved it! We visited Phili last week and went for dinner. The service, hospitality, food, flavors and price everything was Awesome. I highly recommend them. Don't forget to try the dumplings.
(5)A R.
Just wanted to update, I am told that the business receiving the good reviews closed in 2013 and another place opened with the same name in the same location. The review I left is for the new business
(3)Jeffry C.
everything I had here was mediocre. pan fried buns (xian jian bao) was all flavorless bun boiled dumpling was ok. pork chop rice sucked. way too much starch in the sauce. xiaolongbao was whatevs the meat in the beef pocket was cold and bland but it's cheap!
(2)Carol C.
I know sometimes we can get in the mood for just some down and dirty Chinese food, especially if it involves soup dumplings, and even if it means dropping by a shady looking joint under the bridge complete with Ikea furniture. I've been here multiple times, and have willingly sacrified cleanliness and service for some bomb soup dumplings. HOWEVER. There is still a LIMIT to the disgustingness and horrible service one can handle. First of all, we arrived with a party of 6 - maybe a bit large for this tiny joint, because things seemed to have fallen apart after we arrived. 1) They left used napkins on our chairs. Not wanting to touch them, I tried to ask a server for a napkin so I could get rid of it, but nope, expecting them to merely hand me a spare napkin was too much to ask. I eventually had to walk over to another table to get a napkin. 2) ONE person ordered out of the six, which apparently terrified the server because she ran away and never returned. After the ONE person ordered, ALL HIS FOOD CAME OUT within 3 minutes, which would've been pretty awesome...IF ALL OF US HAD ALREADY ORDERED. Basically, he began eating his food before our second person even ordered. 3) When we got a different server (yes, our server had disappeared off the face of the earth), she decided to take our menus before we even ordered. I had to remind her that only ONE of the 6 of us had ordered and took the menus back. 4) After ordering our soup dumplings, she brought out one plate at a time, which is fine. HOWEVER! While we were eating out of one of the plates, she came by with the second batch, and placed them ON TOP of the one we were eating out of. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 5) While we were searching for any server to get our check at the end, I witnessed the main worker work the register, then wipe her greasy forehead, walk over to the kitchen, and pick up the food with her BARE HANDS and place them on plates before serving it to the table next to us. Honestly, Sakura's dimsum might be a little more pricey, and a little too clean for when you're in the mood for cheap Chinese food, but it is definitely worth it if you're avoiding the risk of getting hepatitis/food poisoning/frustrations from the filthiness and stupidity of Dim Sum Garden.
(1)Andre A.
Despite the name, this is definitely NOT the original Dim Sum Garden, but they don't want you to know that. The *real* Dim Sum Garden, the one that earned all the 5-star reviews, used to be in this location, but they moved to Race Street and have a different page on Yelp. This place, the old location, reopened one day under different ownership and continued doing business under the same name as if nothing happened. Can you say copycat? The food isn't terrible... but it's no match for the real place. Until I figured out the switch, I was left wondering why the quality at one of my favorites in town dropped so noticeably. It's a shame, because they're banking on the good name of a completely different place. Do yourself a favor: look up the real Dim Sum Garden and go there instead.
(2)Seema F.
This place is very overrated, which is strange since it's a dingy little place under the overpass by the convention center bus station. It's not really a a dim sum restaurant like the name suggests. The actual menu has standard Chinese fare and the dim sum menu has about 18 items, many of which are not even dim sum (scallion pancake, french fries, and a fried chicken and fries combo?!) We ordered scallion pancake, panfried chives and pork bun, Shanghai crab and pork juicy bun (xiao long bao), shrimp dumpling, and shanghai siumai. The pan-fried chive buns were decent, but a bit small. The scallion pancake was crispy, but fairly standard. The shrimp dumpling was the most basic dumpling you can get. It was just a piece of shrimp in a steamed wrapper. Not very good. The shanghai siumai was very interesting--it was a purse shaped dumpling, rather than the standard siumai shape, filled with what appeared to be rice and meat. The juicy bun was about the best thing there, but with the tiny plates and spoons, it was difficult to eat without spilling everywhere. My only other complaint is that the tables have chili sauce, ginger sauce, and dumpling sauce, but no soy like all the other dim sum restaurants seem to have. I like all those sauces, but I really need soy for certain dumplings. Overall, it's a ok place to grab a dumpling while waiting for the bus. The juicy dumpling was good, but it is nothing I would go out of my way for.
(3)Loni N.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now and I'm so glad I did. Don't be fooled by the outside appearance this place is the real deal for Dim Sum. I also got the scallion cakes which were heaven! The dim sum is amazing and the pork they use is fresh. You can watch the two ladies make everything from scratch in the open kitchen area. The food is good, flavorful, and very fresh. The service was good too. The dishes are large enough to share for two. I can't wait to go back. This place does take credit card but its a $20 minimum.
(5)Brad P.
This place is tasty, absurdly cheap, and unpretentious about what it is. Go into your little head space and classify this place as "fast food" before your first visit. This is essential towards appreciating the experience that is on its way. Dim Sum Garden's pork soup dumplings are tasty and fun to eat. It doesn't matter how hungry you are - wait at least a few minutes after they are on the table before you shovel these things into your mouth. They are delicious but difficult to appreciate when the pain sensors in your mouth go red alert because you've just burned everything from the gingival margin of your lower central incisor to your epiglottis. I know the decor isn't conducive to patience, but just trust me on this one. I'll also give a shout out to the pan fried chicken dumplings. Stick to the dumplings when you come to this restaurant. I found the chicken on a stick and beef brisket over rice to be a little disappointing.
(4)Eva J.
Quieter, more attentive service than the new one but...NO TURNIP CAKE!!! Blasphemy.
(4)Minh C.
"Dinghy" is how I would describe the exterior of Dim Sum Garden. Having walked by here quite a few times, I had always wondered how a place like this could operate and break even. However, a friend who had come here said the dim sum was good and recommended it. That was a shocker, so I definitely had to try it out myself. We arrived noon-ish on a windy Sunday. It was packed. The establishment itself is relatively small, and oddly enough, it appeared to be quite family friendly. First, the food. We had the Shanghai Siu Mai, Fried Soup Pork Buns, and Crabmeat + Pork Buns. The Shanghai Siu Mai looked a little bit weird and tasted a little bit weird as it was mostly rice. The Crabmeat + Pork Buns were yummy. Despite being Asian, I've never had "Shanghai" style - where they're filled with broth and you make a small hole in the "bun," suck out the broth, then eat the rest. I learned something new! The same went for the Fried Soup Pork Buns as the name suggests. Overall, food was good, but I would say it's comparable to other good dim sum places in Philly. We actually didn't find this place that cheap relative to other dim sum joints. For those three dishes, it was about $20 bucks with tip - that's quite steep for a dim sum dive. Maybe it's priced higher because service is so great here? No. Our waiter was inpatient and walked by and dropped off our plates without even looking at us or telling us what dish he landed on our table.
(3)Jon Z.
Consistently good cheap Chinese food hidden next to a former shady Chinatown bus depot The xiao lon bao is what most diners come here for but the rest of the menu is delicious and affordable. Get the scallion pancakes and some of the noodle dishes. You will spent about $10-15 per person and leave extremely full and happy! The decor could be improved but you can't expect everything. Also the service can be kind of blank and to the point but this is typical of many Chinatown restaurants.
(4)Anne C.
I don't understand why I can't find a good dim sum place - the search continues!! So let's start off with the shady placement of this restaurant. It's not particularly in the best looking area, actually my mom had to drag me here to try the food because I was not convinced by the store front. I don't care what people say, the atmosphere of eating the food plays an important role as well! We each had a noodle dish and split some xiao long bao - it's a personal favorite of mine. The dumplings are worth trying here but everything else you could definitely pass on.
(3)Brian C.
I can come to this place all the time. The xiao lung bao and other dumplings here are probably the best in Philadelphia. Everything is also very affordable. The minced pork noodle is springy and delicious, the seasoning really good. The scallion pancake is perfectly crispy. The braised beef is moist and tender, both in the braised beef noodle soup as well as the beef fried rice. Definitely a must stop for good, affordable tasty Chinese food.
(4)Chris J.
Just moved in around the corner - and will be here once a week - for sure! Friendly service and even great for takeout! Had the Steamed Pork Juice buns - amazingly good - almost life changing! Also had the spring roll and the scallion pancake - the pancake with a sweet sauce for dipping that was awesome. And just for good measure - tried an order of General Tso's - even that was good! I'm excited to get more steamed pork buns - as early as tomorrow!!!
(4)Linda N.
As other Yelpers have mentioned, this place does not offer a wide range of dim sum as its name "Dim Sum Garden" implies, but it surely didn't disappoint. What we ordered: - Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns), $5.75 - Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings), $5.75 - (Fried) Turnip Cake, $5ish - Shanghai Siu Mai, $5.75 - Chili Cabbage Shredded Pork Soup, $1.50 - Shanghai Wonton Noodle*, $5.75 - Zha Jiang Mian (Minced Pork Noodle), $5.75 Xiao long bao was good, as was the zha jiang mian. The xiao long bao's juice was absolutely delicious and zha jiang mian is my new favorite by far! Har gow, fried turnip cake, and chili cabbage shredded pork soup didn't live up to my expectations, however. Har gow was a bit fishy (probably an off-day), turnip cake had a fried pastry casing (which we didn't mind, but it was different from what we had before), and chili cabbage shredded pork soup was actually preserved vegetable shredded pork soup (which is fine, but I was expecting literally spicy cabbage because of the "chili" in the name). The Shanghai siu mai was a complete surprise because of the sticky rice filling. It wasn't bad, by any means, but we thought we ordered the normal shrimp & pork siu mai. *Cousin had the Shanghai wonton noodle, which didn't look that appetizing to me, but consisted of the same handmade noodles in the zha jiang mian. On another note, the dumpling sauce combined with the chili oil here is phenomenal. I love a good dumping sauce. Just be careful of the stickiness around the bottle from previous uses. With that said, I'll be back soon for the xiao long bao and zha jiang mian. Getting hungry just thinking about it!
(4)Steve S.
Gotta hand it to the Yelp app for taking me to a place I never would have looked at twice based on the outside. Boy, this place seems to be legendary. After tasting the food, I can see why. Now, let's just get the issues out there that keeps me from giving this 5 stars. No, it's not much to look at. No, it's not the best location in the Chinatown area. No, the service isn't 5 star. In fact, as I look back, I found something a bit odd. So I order up some wonton soup, and the famous steamed soup dumplings. I got the wonton soup first and loved it. About 10 minutes later, the server comes to me and says that they ran out of steamed soup dumplings, but she had a plate of fried dumplings in her hand and asked if would I like those instead. I took them. But as I look back... I have a sneaky suspicion that they accidentally made mine fried, and tried to talk me into them. I'll say this... the fried dumplings have the same juiciness to them, and just a wonderful flavor. I do suspect that the frying makes the skin tougher which, in turn, makes the dumplings squirt more when you try to bite into them. Let's just say that my shirt took a bath even with the spoon, and I'm so glad that no one was sitting to my right. Food wise... most definitely 5 star for the dumpling taste alone. I gotta get back for the real deal soon.
(4)Ben W.
Definition of a hole-in-the-wall. I remember walking by this place freshman year, wary of the dingy bus station next door and the sketchy neon signs in the window. Looking back, I was dumb. This place is by far one of my favorite dim sum places in Philly, if not the US. First off, the restaurant itself isn't the best-looking, but don't let that stop you from ordering some of the most delicious steamed and fried goodies. It's not your traditional dim sum place because there are no carts and you order strictly off a menu. The selection is huge and one thing I love about this place is that everything is fresh. You can take a peek at the kitchen and just watch them wrap and seal all the different types of dumplings they offer. My favorite item is the soup dumplings. I could literally eat these things every day. The skin is cooked just perfectly, silky soft and delicate enough to break just from sucking on it. The meat is so tasty and the soup is the best part. If you've never had soup dumplings before, ask your server how to eat them because it can get tricky. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu and I would suggest bringing a huge crowd of friends so that you can sample almost everything on the menu. I honestly don't know what more to say about this place except GO GO GO!
(5)Mallory D.
I equate dim sum to the Chinese version of bar food. All the little delicious picky stuff without having to mess around with noodles & rice & whatnot (although that is certainly an option here!). I loved my first experience here and have been daydreaming about going back. With such an expansive menu, the possibilities are endless! Everything my sister & I got here was delicious. I am not as huge a fan a the little soup sack dumplings as I am pan fried, but they were deliciousnonetheless...despite the fact that I burnt off a layer of skin on the roof of my mouth. Oh well, I know better for next time! Even the non-dim sum itens were delicious. I especially liked the won ton soup, chicken on a stick, and the very tasty scallion pancakes. Dim Sum Garden is by no means a classy joint. In fact it is a little terrifying. But totally worth it. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Jiawei H.
I tried all dimsum place in central city ，only one place i'm very like ，is original dimsum garden on 59 N 11th street ，the soup dumpling.scallion pancake .handmake noodle.....much better than everywhereï¼i'll come back soon with more friendï¼
(5)Sarah K.
I'm just going to say that the ambiance and service was what made me rate this 2 stars. The table was sticky and the service was a little rude. I also had the roast duck over rice, which was mediocre. It was incredibly bony, and the greens on the side had no business being on a rice dish. Banana peppers?? BUT the Shanghai Pork Dumplings were awesome. I'd probably only come back for these only.
(2)Ray L.
I can't say that I get what the hype is about, except that this place is fairly cheap. Their soup dumplings here are well flavored but fatty, but if I come here that's definitely what I end up getting. Their scallion pancakes are pretty good so I would definitely recommend those. Brace yourself as this is not the most comfortable dining experience (even by chinatown standards). But it's a hole in the wall and you know that going in, right?
(3)Erica M.
How did I not discover this place when I lived a block away???? What a find. The dumplings and noodles are fantastic. We had pork sauce noodles, pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, steamed chicken dumplings, steamed shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes, and soup dumplings. Everything was awesome. Highlights were the pork sauce noodles, pork and chive dumplings, and the soup dumplings (though don't order those if you're souper hungry - pun intended - because they take a while to cool off so you don't scorch your mouth). Awesome place...can't wait to go back!
(5)Brian M.
All of what you expect from this type of joint. Quick, cheap, kinda dirty, staff who speak broken English, wide menu selection, etc. Not that these are bad things, but Dim Sum Garden doesn't really stand out for me in any way worth reporting. It's straightforward and safe. I've been here a couple times now, and actually prefer the pan-fried dumplings over the more renowned steamed "soup dumplings" which the staff here has pushed on me each time I've visited. Nothing special really and kind of a pain to eat. If this is your idea of "fun" then, well...good for you. Also their chopsticks suck. They seem...greasy. Hard to handle.
(3)Angie K.
XIAO LONG BAO! Yes, you may be harassed by random people in front of the store. Yes, there are tacky neon lights in the front. Yes, the inside decor is not much better. But who cares? The food and prices are great! I really haven't had too much trouble with the service; it is just typical of any Chinatown restaurant. They actually remember me, which can get slightly awkward/amusing when you go with acquaintances. Get the xiao long bao (soup dumplings), the Shanghai siu mai (sticky rice and minced pork dumpling), scallion pancake, ja jiang mien (minced pork in black bean noodle sauce). They also have a beef noodle soup that is great as well. No really, ignore the tacky decor and go for the dumplings.
(4)Ali B.
Maybe it was the super duper rush. Maybe it was the fact that they forgot our order of xiao long bao. Maybe it was the fact that by "crab" topped they meant the smallest drop of crabmeat per dumpling. Maybe it was the fact that the xiao long bao tasted like egg drop soup to me. Can find a better steal more deep in chinatown. Prices elevated likely secondary to proximity to chinatown bus depot. Wouldn't necc rush to go to again.
(2)Kathy I.
My first experience with soup dumplings was here and it was really good! I actually like the fried dumplings better but in general they were both good. Plus it was really cheap. The soup dumplings were a bit too salty but still enjoyable!
(4)Veronica X.
Best Shanghai style Dim Sum I've ever had outside of Shanghai. Xiao Long Bao ( literally"little buns in a steamer" or as most people here call it, Soup Dumplings): excellent. Eat them while they are hot (as hot you can handle) because the soup inside the dumplings will gelatinize when allowed to cool. Bite into them carefully so the soup won't explode onto your dining companions, which could result in 1st degree burn, expensive dry cleaning and possible breakup. Fried pastry with shredded Daikon (a kind of radish, similar to Turnip) filling: I liken the pastry shell to Croissant for the similar flaky, rich texture (of course no butter is used in traditional Chinese pastry so no buttery taste). I had better pastry shell elsewhere but the Daikon filling here can't be beat: moist, savory and fresh tasting. It comes in an order of two. Our first order was great so we ordered a second, and they rushed it out. When it was brought to our server's attention that the 2nd order was undercooked, the kitchen promptly made another order for us as replacement. Pan fried pork bun: slightly over-cooked at the bottom but still very good. Some people may find the skin a little thick and doughy, but keep in mind that it's made from yeast dough unlike your normal dumpling skin ( hence the inaccuracy in calling them dumplings). I shall return.
(4)Eddie K.
Loved the XLB and Crab XLB. Those are a must. The skin is smooth unlike the ones I ate at Bob's Shanghai and Shanghai Taste in Rockville. The shrimp dumpling and fried XLB was pretty good too. The Zha Jiang Mian was just okay. Was expecting something in a bowl instead of a plate. They take credit cards here!
(4)Nataly N.
I was really hungry one night when I wandered on 11th St near Chinatown and stumbled upon this place under the tunnel, ablaze with its neon signs. In the past, I've had many bad experiences with dumplings, many of which were filled with mystery substances that claimed to be "chicken" or "shrimp." However, this was not the case at Dim Sum Garden. For $3.75, I got 10 pieces of pan-fried pork & chives dumplings. They were crispy on the outside, yet juicy and flavorful on the inside. They were very filling and delicious. I haven't had other items on their menu, but I'd definitely recommend their chives & pork dumplings. The service was ok - friendly and quick. You can either eat in or take out. I chose to stay and the food came out pretty quickly. While there aren't many tables, they turn over pretty fast and someone comes out to clean them up immediately. Great place for a quick and inexpensive meal.
(4)Carlin Y.
This place is awesome. It looks kinda dirty and a little sketchy, but they probably have the BEST soup dumplings in the Philly area that won't leave your wallet considerably lighter. They have pretty decent dim sum as well, other dishes are pretty standard, but everything is pretty cheap and portions aren't bad. Worth it if you're hungry and could use some inexpensive but decent Chinese food real fast! Right next to the Chinatown bus terminal, it's the perfect spot to chill out and snack in before taking the bus.
(4)John D.
A unique take on traditional Chinese dim sum, the dishes are larger so you won't get to sample the normal variety. The juicy pork buns are challenging to eat make sure they cool down. Priced well, two will eat like kings for $25.
(3)Christopher D.
Beneath the tunnel and amidst the fumes from the Chinatown buses, lies a gem in Chinatown. Dim Sum Garden, a non-descript little out post under a neon sign continues to put out some great food. They make the so called juicy buns, or xiao long bao as well as anyone in the area. You bite into the pillows of goodness and you get an explosion of pork broth along with great filling. The other offerings, soups, dumplings and standard chinese entree are ok, but go for the juicy buns. Cannot wait for them to emerge in their new location from underneath the tunnel to the sunshine in Chinatown.
(4)Larry J.
These people know what they are doing when it comes to the Pork Dumpling Soup, Pan Fried Pork Dumplings and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. Staff, including owner are friendly, nice, kind and willing to do whatever it takes to serve and please your palate. I have been to many places in the USA for Asian Food and I think that this is one of the best when it comes to freshness and quality. Prices are very reasonable and you should be very happy with speed of service!
(5)Sam Z.
A nondescript, Chinese home-style looking establishment, tucked in the throws of a tunnel along N 11th street. It's the type of place that most passersby would just well, pass by. But for those willing to stop, you are in for a treat. Walking in from the cold, I warmed up body and taste buds with a dumpling noodle soup. The broth was on the weak side, lacking flavor, but the dumplings were tasty and plentiful and the bok choy crisp and fresh tasting. The real foodie fun however would begin with their signature, Xiao Long Bo (soup dumplings). Served steaming hot, in lots of 8, I eagerly dug into these pale colored puffs. While this was not my first Xiao Long Bo (XLB), it quickly became apparent that I had not attained veteran status just yet. Stuffing the first few (delicious) dumplings into my mouth whole, the waitress quickly spotted my transgression, and rushed to my rescue with a lesson in the art of Xiao Long Bo consumption. How amazing is that? First, place the dumpling in your spoon. Second, bite off the top of the dumpling and sip the soup slowly (yum). Third, eat deflated dumpling and enjoy. With technique mastered, I was now equipped to enjoy them to their maximum potential. That potential was awesome. Not only were the XLB top notch, so to (to my surprise) was the service; not exactly what you'd expect at a hole in the wall on the fringes of Chinatown. Extra napkins, dipping sauce, hot & cold beverage refills, and a masters degree in dumpling consumption, brought my way, without even having to ask. This place is can't miss on your next visit to Phila Chinatown. -SZ
(4)Tyler R.
If you want Shanghai broth (juice) buns (aka Xiao Long Bao), come here. Eat as many as you can. Dim Sum Garden is easily one of the least pretentious places in the city. Since it's house in a store front that's in a tunneled section between Filbert and Arch St., you could miss it without any problem. DSG is a testament to what great food does for your business. In addition to the XLB try the duck gizzard, duck tongue, soups, and dumplings. Okay, duck tongue and gizzard are definitely not for everyone, and they give you plenty, but DSG is that good that you'll eat duck tongue and gizzard happily. My favorite feature of the restaurant is that you can look over the counter and watch the chefs making each bun and dumpling by hand. It's an unbelievable skills that yields serious deliciousness.
(4)Brandi E.
Dim Sum garden is my favorite Shanghai restaurant that I have encountered as of yet in America. The highlight of the whole place is the xiao long bao also known as soup buns. For the uninitiated these are buns which are delicately made with thin shells and filled with steaming hot soup which consists of pork and broth. They are to die for but one must also be careful not to have the hot soup squirt out on them which can sometimes be a difficult task. This place has the best soup buns I have had since I have been to Shanghai. I am serious about this as I have been to Flushing and Chinatown and not found any as tasty as these. They are succulent and flavorful and warm you up from the inside. Now let's tackle the rest of the menu. The menu is really trying to cater to all tastes. It has traditional Shanghai dishes to Americanized Chinese food and just plain Fried Chicken with French Fries. The dim sum items are definitely the highlight. The aforementioned xiao long bao are the best and available in both pork and pork with seafood varieties. The pork dumplings and siu mai are also good and some of the better I have had. The scallion pancakes are definitely worth a try as well. The pork with sauce noodle is also a favorite of mine and very flavorful. Some of the other foods are great and some are just average and you do have to pick carefully. I would also recommend the beef brisket and the mapo tofu. The more Americanized you go the more likely you will be disappointed. Be sure to check out the daily specials as there is always stuff that is not on the main menu. Recently there has been this soup which is good I think it is a sweet hot and sour soup though they described as a minestrone. It is good and quite unlike anything I have tasted though there is an excess of broth. The noodle dishes are all great as the noodles are all handmade. You can really taste the difference. So if you are deciding between rice and noodles, go for the noodles. Many of the dishes can also be served in a soup form with the noodles submerged which is also quite good. Overall there is a lot of variety to please most anyone you bring with you. Next, the pricing is amazing. This place is giving McDonald's a run for its money. Most main dishes are under $7 and the portions are quite large. I would be shocked if you spent more than $20 on a meal for two and left without leftovers especially since there is no alcohol. Actually the drink selection is limited to tea or soda pretty much. The food generally comes out pretty quick so it's a good place if you are in a hurry. The staff is great. They try their best to be helpful and make you feel welcome despite the language barrier. They started to remember me by the second time I had come there which is impressive. I still remember that I came in once when it was empty with a few people and they were doing food prep on one of the tables. The immediately started to clean up and move to the back room and asked us to sit there. We said it wasn't necessary but they said it was the biggest table and they insisted. It's moments like that will make you feel welcome somewhere and go beyond what is normally defined as service. Seriously the people who work here are some of the nicest people I have met a restaurant and that alone makes me want to keep going back. The location is awful. It will put a lot of people off. It is a weird area under a tunnel. There are a lot of shady characters outside at times due to the proximity to the bus stop. However, in addition to being located next to both the Chinatown and Greyhound bus stops, it is conveniently located close to Reading Terminal Market, the Market East Station, and the Convention Center. I actually first discovered it wondering around after the flower show. Once again, you literally feel like you are underneath a bridge somewhere about to do a drug deal by the time you reach the place. Okay I'm exaggerating quite a bit but I have taken people there and they seemed a bit hesitant. It is safe though really. The interior leaves a lot to be desired. It is eerily lit by the excessive neon in the front windows. The furniture is all from IKEA and the wall is painted in an attempt to look more modern. There are pictures of food above the cashier counter that does not highlight the breadth or best parts of the menu. The place is very clean but feels damp due to the location being somewhat cave-like. There is a TV playing asian music videos which are often quite amusing. The place seems a lot nicer from the inside than the outside. Don't let the location or the restaurant's appearance put you off this really is a diamond in the rough. Dim Sum Garden will leave you pleasantly surprised and craving more. I can personally attest to this as I keep coming back for the food and the people.
(5)Christina S.
I've been to this place a bunch of times and have always had great food. My favorite dish is the Fried bean curd noodle with soup. The portion is huge-one I could never finish, but I enjoy the first bite as much as I do the last, and that's saying something. The spring rolls are good as well. The scallion pancakes are good like some of the reviews say, but once was enough for me as far as those go. I've read a bunch of reviews on this place and I just have a few things to say about the comments in those reviews. If you're looking to get your a$$ kissed or an overly friendly server who is going to coddle you through your whole meal-don't go here. This isn't the place for you. If you're looking for a trendy spot with Ikea furniture throughout, stay away. These people serve delicious hot food quickly and for a fair price. As far as I'm concerned, that's good enough for me. The great thing about Philadelphia is that there's 950902920 other restaurants for you to choose from if you're looking for those kinds of things. With the limited seating at Dim Sum Garden, people who actually enjoy this restaurant would rather you go to those anyway.
(4)Vinh T.
Don't let the shitty location and a cheap-looking restaurant fool you. Dimsum in this place rocks. Yes, it locates right next to the China Town bus station so please except people in front of the place and stare at you when you are trying to swallow their dumplings. Yes, it looks very cheap. Seem like they don't pay that much attention to the decor. Yes, they serves Shanghai style dimsum which means that there are lots of different kind of dumplings and shumai and the choices of dimsum are very limited. You won't find chicken feet or other food here.
(4)Jimmy J.
Soooo good! Great BYOB and a great value for what you get. Soup dumplings are a must. Bok choy is delish. Mopo over rice and minded pork noodles are another go to. Super fast service, everyone is very friendly and happy to reach you how to eat the soup dumplings. The decor is a big step up. The high ceilings are great but it echos. So it does tend to get loud with few people.
(5)Justin Z.
As a Shanghainese and a die hard juicy dumpling (xiao long bao) fan, this restaurant gets my stamp of approval. While in Philly, with all these celebrity chef restaurant choices, I managed to visit this place twice during my stay. We have tried many things on the menu; including the fried pork bun, wonton soup, onion pancake, spring rolls and turnip cake, etc. Everything tasted pretty authentic. However the juicy dumpling definitely stands out. These are probably the best dumplings I have had in the US.
(5)Jenn P.
I ordered the pork-scallion potsticker soup and a side of scallion pancakes. Not the finest dining but, good solid food. The people working were friendly and you can't beat the price - under eight dollars. I would definitely have creamed my jeans as a traveler had I found this just stepping off the chinatown buses (as it is right next to the terminal).
(3)G F.
Dim Sum Garden is a hidden gem -- a diamond in the rough. This food is so delicious, good, amazing, delectable, scrumptious, stupendous, and cheap. I can't believe it took me this long to review it. Everybody I've brought here just loves the food. I was first tipped off early of '09 about this restaurant when I asked a couple Chinese friends where to get good dumplings in Chinatown. A number of people told me to go here. So I did. And I've been back more times than I can remember since then. I've worked my way through most of the menu, excluding the rice dishes. Things have changed up a bit since Sally (worker/server with the bobbed haircut and always cool sneakers) and her mom took the helm. For instance, free ice water has been replaced by hot tea. Some breakfast-y items have been added to early morning, and new specials are now offered. However, my favorites remain the standard menu. The Siu Mai are so amazing. An order comes with four pieces, which includes sticky rice and mushroom/pork. The Cold Cucumber appetizer is also delicious and very light. The fried dumplings are a home run. Shanghai Steamed Buns are also a favorite of many. I can't tell you how many shirts have been splashed with these soup dumplings! And the handmade noodles. Yes! Get them without soup. Beef brisket type is great... as is the Pork and Pickled Cabbage. But they're all top-notch. The weakest is perhaps the Eel variety. Oh yeah, the surrounding area must be mentioned. It's the shits outside. You have the Chinatown bus next door, which brings in a lot of distasteful, aggressive people... not to mention sound pollution. There are the ever present vagrants to boot. And to top it off, this is all underneath the bleak concrete awning of this block. Your mother would probably be uncomfortable. But this has served well to keep this place a lesser known secret. The inside decor also doesn't speak to the greatness of the food. The neon lights that line the building-high windows add a nice cyberpunk touch. But don't let that dissuade you. Dim Sum Garden is the real deal.
(5)Sean B.
Quick, simple, delicious, cheap. They have a limited but good menu and the service is friendly and fast. These won't be the best dumplings or shu mai you've ever had, but they will be good enough and they will be cheap as hell. Great place for a quick, relatively-healthy bite to eat.
(4)Janabelle R.
Great soup dumplings and steamed dumplings. Small place and can get busy sometimes. Pretty good bubble tea as well.
(5)Brittini S.
I love this place! It's the best dim sum in the city and the price is dirt cheap. The pork buns are a must and so is the seafood pancake. You shouldn't go there for the atmosphere but the food is authentic and always packed with Chinese locals... a good sign for sure! If you have a dim sum craving, this is the place!
(5)Viraj P.
Fine, but my mind was not blown. The chicken feet came out dry and unseasoned, the "chicken on a stick" appetizer was served without any accompaniment, and the tofu soup was super greasy. The shrimp and chicken dumplings were standard. Some of the dishes were hot while others were served tepid at best. I was really sad I couldn't eat the soup dumplings so many have raved about because they have pork in them :( The best thing about this place was the sauces in the middle of the table- the ginger vinegar and the dumpling sauce were deeeelicious! Now if only I didn't need them to make my food wonderful :/
(3)Paul C.
I really wish I could give 3.5 here, because that's what the rating really should be. If you come here, JUST get the dumplings; any variation of the dumpling ranges from good to amazing. The shanghai soup dumpling is the star here.....a good complement would be a dumpling that's pan fried. Don't get the other dishes really; they range from crappy to average at best. I've tried about 10 different dishes on the menu, and I've given up on finding something that's above average. As for the place, it's your basic hole in the wall in china town. The ladies that run the place are extremely nice and attentive to your needs.
(4)Jonathan D.
Great dumplings with a good selection. The Shanghai style dumplings (soup inside) reminded me of one of my favorite dumpling shops in Tokyo (Din Tai Fung is a chain throughout Asia). The venue was much more casual and the dumplings a bit less greasy. They assumed I had never had that style of dumpling. But, I really liked that the staff was friendly and helped explain which sauce to use and how to eat the dumplings.
(4)Kristin W.
What this place lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in good food and reasonable prices. We started with the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), which had good soup and flavorful filling. We also got the General Tso's Chicken which was tender and did not have too-thick breading although it could have used more broccoli in the dish. And to get a few tasty nutrients in there we also ordered some Chinese Broccoli. All around an enjoyable meal!
(4)Jia Z.
They moved to 1020 race Street!
(1)Donovan S.
This place is a dump like no other. But holy shit. Soup dumplings. Made proper. I have been coming here for a year now, and their soup dumplings have never disappointed. Not once. I recently tried their vegetable dumplings and was surprised that any other dumpling could compete on the same level. But they do! Also, their noodle dishes are awesome, but I try to avoid ordering the ones with meat as they tend to give you fattier cuts that I'm just not that into. Definitely one of the best ways to spend six dollars.
(5)Jorge C.
Worst Chinese food ever had!! .. I'm not a dumpling person so I ordered regular food not feeling like walking around away from my hotel..
(1)Robert W.
delicious noodle soup and soup dumplings. Fast service, great prices, awesome food... worth the drive from Baltimore.
(5)Laura P. L.
The Juicy Pork Buns are a must! The scallion pancake is the best I have EVER had. The only think holding me back from 5 stars is that they don't deliver on grubhub. The place has no atmosphere- but who cares? It's incredibly delicious! The hand pulled noodles in soup with duck are amazing too! The best part- it's very inexpensive!
(4)Cindy L.
My favorite Philly restaurant! My friend took me here. I was a bit surprised with the location, since it's under a dark bridge. Luckily, we were able to get a table. It was quite crowded. We ordered Shanghai juicy buns, wonton soup, wonton noodle soup and pumpkin cake. Some of the best Shanghai juicy buns I have tasted. It was flavorful and juicy. Surprisingly, the wonton soup and wonton noodle soup base tasted different. Both were well seasoned. I love the pumpkin cake. It was slightly crispy on the outside, chewy, with warm red bean on the inside. My friend is from China, and she raved that this was authentic Chinese food. Meal was reasonably price, and service was pretty decent. YUM YUM!
(5)Brian H.
no cart, but that's ok! i've been here at least a dozen times and will definitely continue coming back. the service is somewhat inconsistent, especially for such a small place - it's hit or miss whether or not the tea is refilled quickly or the check is delivered at the end of the meal (i usually just go up to the counter to get it) but i can overlook those things since it is really cheap (and in those cases i just tip 15%, whereas i usually tip 20%). whatever as for the food - my girlfriend and i have never ordered any of the proper entrees/noodle dishes, rather we usually order steamed juicy buns - yummmm (only once were they not amazing since they were served on the cold side), some assorted steamed and pan-fried dumplings (good) and other random stuff including shumai (sometimes the wrapper is a little too thick), scallion pancakes (ok), triple steamed bun (not great/too bready for me), seaweed salad (ok, but once we received it and it was still a little frozen) and either hot and sour soup (once too gelatinous but other times delicious) or the chili cabbage soup (not bad for $1.50!). long story short - a little inconsistent, but they're cheap and the food is pretty good.
(3)Karen Y.
this place has chinese food done in true casual chinese dining fashion; quick and to the point. the xiao long baos are fresh steamed and full of rich broth. not as good as what i can find in the so cal dim sum mecca of monterey park/alhambra, they are still quite delicious and 8 of them for less than $6, it's totally worth the trip down here for an order. i also ordered some low bok gow for my son and they do not makes these in the traditional cantonese way of pan fried squares with bits of pork and dried shrimp. instead the turnips are shredded and encased in a deep fried pastry. though completely unexpected, it was plenty tasty and my son had no complaints. while they are missing the appeal of the roaming carts, it's nice to have made to order dim sum as another chinatown option.
(4)Shengjun H.
Ok, wow. I am so glad that I don't live in Philly, because if I did, I would live in this restaurant and eat Xiao Long Bao every hour for the rest of my life. Then I could guarantee myself a happy death. First, a few clarifications. Dumplings here - what I assume everyone else is referring to - refer to the first two things on the menu. Shanghai style (as opposed to the smaller and less juicy Taiwanese Ding Tai Fun style) Steamed Pork Juicy Buns are what the English (Chinglish?) menu refer to them as. Those are what you need to order. Not the dumplings. You want the Juice Buns, Juicy Buns, or Juicy Burns - they don't discriminate over spelling. Purist? Get the first thing on the menu. Like seafood? The second. Love everything fried? Get the third. Xiao long bao are meat dumplings with a thin flour skin shaped like large upside down turnip and a large amount of delicious broth inside. For the first two, which are served in a large (!) metal steamer stray, very gently separate the dumplings from the paper and cradle them in your soup spoon. Take care not to break the skin... if you do, you'll see the delicious soup drip into the steamer, far away from your yearning mouth. Blow on it to cool it, because it will otherwise burn off your entire mouth with its blazing heat. Then blow again. Seriously. They're that hot. Then, gently bite through the skin and delight in the porky (and crabby?) amazingness that will fill your mouth. For the third fried variety of Juicy Burns (ironicly accurate), there will be less juice inside and a thicker dough skin to stand up to the fryer, but there will still be juice - so don't spill it! You can get the other type of dumplings too, but if you do, you'll miss out on the best that this place has to offer. Good Shanghai style xiao long bao are rare in America. Not to say that the rest of their food isn't good! Their Scallion Pancake is solid, with a nice flaky crust and minimal grease. The wonton soup is solid, the dumpling soup was ok. I wasn't super impressed by the plain dumplings here, but I'd imagine that they are better fried than in the soup. They also have Shanghai style ShiuMai, which are essentially steamed wonton wrappers around a combination of soy sauce drizzled sticky rice, shiitaki mushrooms, and pork. They're not the best on earth (uh... Shanghai's are better), but they're worth a shot if you've never had them before. Their drinks are good too! The bubble tea and watermelon smoothies were delicious, though they took a while to come out. The staff is nice and friendly and their hours are long enough to tempt anyone on their way home at 10:30. Not to hate too much, but if you compare anything in this place to Costco, then you should've asked the servers to recommend something for you. There may be sub-par things on the menu, but it takes special skill to pick out something that actually tastes bad. I would know. Within two days, I had tried about a quarter of the menu and wasn't disappointed by anything. And lastly... as it seems that I could go on about this place forever.... this place is dirt cheap. Less than $4 for a good soup, less than $6 for a good sized soup with noodles to share, less than $7 for ten xiao long bao. I could live here forever and not even run out of money. Swoon.
(5)Chelsea M.
I love this place! I've been going here for years. They have good customer service and I love the waiters and waitresses they remember us. We always get the dim sum soup buns, dumplings, the peaking duck and the scallion pancakes. great dim sum if your in the area.
(4)Colleen M.
I've been to Dim Sum garden a few times - it's my favorite go-to when my mother and sister and I go to the convention center for an event, and is generally a great inexpensive lunch. But last night just sealed the deal for me for this place. My husband and I were celebrating a special occasion, and were going to use a gift certificate to go to a much fancier Chinese restaurant, but much to our dismay, the certificate was nowhere to be found. Still feeling the need to celebrate, now with a solid Chinese food craving, but not a lot of money in our wallets, we decided to go to Dim Sum Garden. We found out that it was BYO - how did I not know this before? So we grabbed a bottle of wine and drove to the restaurant. Before, service has always been so-so - not AWFUL, but certainly nothing to write home about. This evening, we ended up wanting to try new things, so we asked the waitress what the best menu items were, and then chose all her recommendations. Holy Hannah, this meal was DEELICIOUS. And our server was conscientious and helpful, and helped us pick more food for us to take home for lunches today. And the whole bill, the dinner with some leftovers and some extras for lunch the next day, came to less than it probably would have been for one person at the other restaurant. I was actually glad that I'd lost the gift certificate by the end. Not really. But it definitely took the sting out of the whole incident. The perfect meal for me here is now: cold marinated sliced pork garlic sauteed spinach shredded pork noodles pork soup dumplings scallion pancakes
(5)Serene F.
Ghetto looking as hell but solid, delicious (and greasy) Shanghainese food. This is one of the few places in Philly where you can get hot soup dumplings that are not previously frozen (at $3 less than NY prices). Also try their noodle soups - large portions and not heavily dosed with MSG. So cheap, you can feed the whole family! Plus, kitchen looked clean and the waitress was polite - a rare find in Chinatown hole-in-the-walls!
(5)J B.
Best vegetarian steamed buns anyone has ever and will ever make in the history and future of vegetarian steamed buns. Nice employees. Freaking amazing. Quick.
(5)Christine B.
Went here with a group of 8 on Chinese new year's eve. It's not the traditional brunch dim sum that you get from the carts, but there are lots of dumpling options, and an assortment of Chinese food type dishes. Everything I tried was good. I went with the pork and noodles hoping it would be like dan dan noodles, and after adding some spice, it was in the same family, but not exactly the same thing. All of the dumplings were tasty, and I loved the scallion pancakes. Price was about 15 a person which I would consider a pretty cheap dinner.
(3)Rebecca Y.
This was the absolutely worst customer service experience of my life. I have never been treated so rudely by anyone at a business before. Basically, the workers at this restaurant harassed my friend while she was IN THE BATHROOM by banging on the door and yelling at her to get out, talked s*** about me and my friend in Chinese (assuming that I couldn't understand what they were saying), and then lied about doing so when we confronted them about it (in Chinese of course, which just shocked the hell outta them. Wish I could have captured the look of horror on their faces when they realized I understood everything they had said!) My friend and I came here because we were craving some xiaolongbao, but what we got was an awful experience that I never want to repeat again. My friend wrote a Yelp review about it, which Yelp initially took down because they found it offensive, but I'll vouch for her experience, because it really WAS that bad. For details, here's the link to her review: yelp.com/biz/dim-sum-gar… Their xiaolongbao are pretty good, but it's not worth it when you're treated like crap. I will never come here again and I encourage my fellow Yelpers to not do so, either.
(1)Sarah F.
Good food at a great price! I came by for a quick dinner after going out for happy hour with some friends. We ordered tons of dumplings....seriously TONS. My favorite were the Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns ( pork and scallion ) and the soup dumplings. My favorite entree we got blew my mind! We ordered it as a recommendation that we took from our server: pork with sauce noodle. Literally that is what it's called. We got it with mei fun noodles. The best way to describe it is like having an asian spaghetti with meat sauce that instead of tomato has a soy/hoison base. Cilantro was sprinkled all over the top. So. Good. Some negatives...I didnt like the fried rice (how can you mess up fried rice?). Some of the dumplings weren't super special to me. So with the pros and cons...this place is A-OK to me
(3)Ben P.
High end, this is not. Fancy, this is not. Good-ass food, THIS IS. Seriously, son. This place is one step below the Ikea cafeteria in terms of look and feel. You couldn't pick a worse place in the city to open a restaurant. Fortunately for them, their food is off the hook. Dumplings and juicy buns that are absolutely the balls. Traditional dishes like sesame chicken, et al that will blow the chopsticks off your local go-to joint. If I lived downtown, I would be here weekly. Shit, I live in South Philly and I might anyway.
(5)Jihye T.
There is always someone eating here, at most odd times of the day. During meal times, particularly on weekends, it could get quite crowded. So, even though the restaurant looks a bit sketchy from the outside, I decided to I had to check out what the fuss was about. The soup dumplings here will satisfy the craving - plenty of hot juice in the bun, and the pork flavor is nice enough. However, I found the skin to be a bit too chewy and the soup lacked the garlicky/ gingery aroma that typically adds another dimension to the pork flavor.
(3)Jack F.
Me: "How late are you open later tonight [Christmas Eve]?" Server #1: "10:30" Me: "What about tomorrow" Server #1: [Says nothing when she realizes I'm not eating] Server #2: "10:30" [in a rushed and annoyed manner as if she's shooing you away] Service may not be ideal but the soup dumplings are amazing. Dim Sum Garden makes an ideal pit stop by the bus with prices you'd expect from Chinatown ($5.25 for 8 steamed dumplings). Yeah, I'd come back even if they were rude. [Last Visit: December 25, 2011]
(4)Michael P.
You know that scene at the beginning of Blade Runner where Gaff catches up with Deckard at the chinese noodle stand? The first time I ever went to Dim Sum Garden, that popped right into my mind. Visiting here is the epitome of finding a diamond in the rough. Its a former donut shop tucked under the Hilton parking garage, with the chinatown buses lined up outside. The giant plate glass windows are lined with neon, and a when you peek inside it looks like a typical chinese takeout place. Once you enter, you'll find an amazing little restaurant with fantastic food. The shanghai buns (Xiao long bao) are a welcome departure from normal dumplings. Once you master the art of eating them, they become a welcome treat. The Siu mai are delicious, and the scallion pancake is nice, crisp, and flaky. The brisket noodles are terrific, but I much prefer the stewed eel noodles, as sushi has made me love eel. Service is pretty good, sometimes it can feel like they've forgotten you a little bit, but generally they'll keep things moving and top off your water when you need it. Sometimes there can be a language barrier, depending on your server. Overall, its a place that is worth a visit, to try something different than the chinese you're used to.
(5)K. A. N. A. K.
I mis-remembered the name of this restaurant, even though I've eaten here at least 50 times. I posted my original review and an update (since I've been here 50 times). 4 stars for brisket noodle soup and Shanghai shumai--it's made especially for lazies like myself, since the soup and dipping sauce did not require any seasoning adjustment and the brisket was fairly meaty (and not bony or gristly). I don't know if Shanghai shumai is actually a regional dimsum, but it has sticky rice with bits of mushroom and pork I've always previously encountered in a banana leaf, only in this case it comes in a dumpling wrapper. 5 stars for the pork juicy buns and scallion pancakes. (Don't call your juicy buns order "soup buns," unless you like hot salty liquids squirted in your mouth AS A FOOD. I'm not going to judge your other activities.) I love the chewy pan-fry at the bottom of each soft bun. The dipping sauce is perfect, as ever. I think the primary waitress is charming (she very tactfully chided my boyfriend that he and his coworker hadn't eaten lunch there in a while, even though the food is consistently good).
(4)Dharam P.
Skip the fried rice or "traditional Chinese" food. Get the chive soup and dumplings.
(4)Mina L.
It was the first time my boyfriend and I had stopped by here after being recommended here by a friend to try the juicy buns. The place has terrible decor, wobbly chairs, dirty chopsticks, and okay service. As soon as I walked in, the two hispanic cooks stared directly at me and smiled/laughed... which is kind of creepy especially for my first time here. After being sat down, we eventually chose our dishes to try: the Shanghai juicy buns, pork fried rice, and the fried chives/pork dumplings. Out of all of these, the best dish was the juicy buns. It was the best part of the visit and possibly one of the only high points. The fried dumplings could have been more crunchy and less soggy. It was only fried on one side. The WORST dish was the pork fried rice. The serving size was small, tasted too salty, had very little pork (mostly little balls of overcooked meat), and the rice was hard.. o__o Overall, 3 stars for the juicy buns and fried dumplings and -2 stars for decor, fried rice, and service. We would like to try them again for their noodles and more juicy buns!!
(3)Donald J.
What happened to the Dim Sum Gardn I usd to know? Ate here about a year ago. The soup noodle was exquisite. But not this time. Had the Prok and Crab and an order of the scallion pancake. Totally disappointed! The soup was bland nd the pancake a messy grease affair. Are there better days to eat here than others? This is a Sunday.
(2)Aggie V.
I went into this little gem for dinner today, and boy, oh boy!!! I'm sold! I got chicken and broccoli, which is absolutely THE best I've ever tasted. Next time, I'll have to try the dumplings!!!
(4)Jeanny C.
This is my second time coming here. First time was really late at night, so I felt the food was left over from the morning. This time, I came on a lunch hour during the weekdays. The food was much better, but still didn't meet up to my standards. My friend and I ordered 2 hot and sour soup, turnip cake, pan fried chicken dumplings, and crab meat & pork xiao long bao. The turnip cake was not the usual traditional one, so I didn't like it as much. Not because I wanted the traditional ones, but simply because it wasn't better. The hot and sour soup is pretty good, they add tomatoes compared to traditional ones, which I actually like better. The xiao long bao was definitely below standard (compared to Shanghai Cafe or Joe's Shanghai in NYC). I liked the chicken dumplings, it was good. The meal came out to be around $28 plus tip, I think that's pretty ok. Not sure if I want to return, I don't hate it, but I also don't love it either. So very mixed feeling.
(3)Vernon D.
Want dumplings, They got a smorgasbord of dumplings. All of which that i have tried are delicious. What is even better is getting to admire the craftsmanship of the art of dumpling making when the staff are seated in the dining area creating the little morsels of delight. Overall this is a great spot for fast food dim sum, and well i have to say i delight in the duck gizzard and duck tongue in salt sauce. Not my spot for Noodle soup, but its fair in taste and quality. great for a pit stop after shopping at the Terminal.
(4)Meg S.
Low on atmosphere, but decent food. We had the scallion pancakes and the soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes were good, greasy but good. I didn't heed previous reviews on the soup dumplings, however (I didn't Yelp it beforehand and see what happens...), and ended up getting a bit of a burn on my mouth...but other than that, delicious and cheap. My reason for three stars is that the overall atmosphere is really unpleasant. Something with the overhead lights gives you that feeling of being in convenience store at 3 in the morning, and not in a good way. It'd be an easy 4 stars with better lighting, decoration on the walls, etc, but I'm just not feeling it now.
(3)Lilli C.
I had just gotten off the bus and stopped in here because it was close and I was hungry. I really wasn't expecting much, but the food here is delicous and cheap! I got the sauteed homemade noodles with pork. The noodles were fantastic- they were light and fluffy and were seasoned in this flavorful brown sauce. I will definitely be back here to try the soup dumplings and their other dim sum items.
(4)Gina M.
What a terrific place to enjoy my favorite food. You just cannot go wrong with some Dim Sum. And at the prices they offer, you can try as many as you want! When I first walked in, I almost wanted to hit my sister because the place looks awful. It is really tacky and ghetto, but we're in Philadelphia. I don't know why that shocked me! But I sat down anyway and we ordered away. The scallion pancakes ( I hope I remembered the name correctly) were to die for. They were absolutely delicious. We ordered a bunch of different varieties of Dim Sum and there was only one I didn't care for. The pan fired vegetable dim sum had a bit of a spice to it and I don't care for that. My sister, however, loved them. Everything we ordered was great and came to us fast. I loved the little kid that comes over to teach you how to eat dim sum too. This place, as previously mentioned in someone else's yelp, is a perfect definition of a 'hole-in-the-wall'. Go check it out!
(4)Mike L.
I've had better dim sum to say the least. While the prices initially look good, you can normally get dim sum for far cheaper. I had heard good things about their soup dumplings, but I'm sorely disappointed by the ones I got. The soup was far sweeter than I'm used to. The Siu Mai was good though. As were the shrimp dumplings.
(3)Tim P.
I had some time to kill today once I got off work. So I headed into Chinatown to checkout Dim Sum Garden, since its been one of my bookmarks for awhile. I ordered the pork buns and spring rolls for lunch. Even though I thought that all of the hype surrounding these pork buns would amount to nothing more than a novelty, these buns turned out to be well worth the ride to get them. Thankfully I read enough reviews to know how to not burn my mouth with the broth inside. I could have eaten much more, but what I had satisfied my appetite for the afternoon. I'll have to plot my next lunch here soon. Not many seats available inside at noon. But I'd just as happy taking the order to go.
(4)Chelsea B.
Get the soup dumplings and the scallion pancakes. You will seriously not regret it! I've never had soup dumplings before and WOW were they delicious. The pork and soup filling is only made better by the different sauces that send them over the top. This place doesn't scream classy when you're walking up to it, but the service was friendly and helpful when we didn't know what to order. The two of us split pork soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, and a type of chicken potstickers all for under $15 (and they did prefer we used cash with a bill that small, so be prepared) and it was enough food that we could barely finish it all. I felt a little self conscious going in and not knowing what to expect, but there are all types of people in there (tourists too) so you don't have to worry about looking out of place. I live in the Midwest, and I dream about these dumplings.
(5)Sarah H.
Once you've mastered how to eat these delicious soup dumplings without juices exploding everywhere and burning your face off, you're cool in my book. Yeah the underpass location is sketchy, but an inexpensive AND delicious center city lunch isn't perfect.
(4)Virginia C.
I wanted this to be really good, and I dragged a gf through these dark sketchy allies at night to get here.but these soup dumplings.. EH. 1) Soup Dumplings (fresh, but the fat in the soup dumplings was gross/unbearable). I was just drinking soup/fat/the dumpling had no real flavor). And I know my soup dumplings! 2) Redeeming quality to the meal- The vegetarian steamed dumplings were actually the best! All and all, Yelpers hyped up this place. Disappointed and on the search for my soup dumplings again. :(
(2)Linda W.
This place is located under an overpass a block away from the Chinatown sign. My friend and I were a little hesitant to walk in since it looked desolate, more like a cafeteria than a dim sum place. However, we did step in and tried the Xiao long bao and the scallion pancake, which both was really good. The service was pretty lacking tho. The man or lady (we couldn't tell which the server was) was not friendly and had a grim face on, but besides from the location and the service, come and try the food.
(4)Crystal E.
Cheap and delicious steamed pork soup dumplings. My sis-in-law loves the fried version of the soup dumpling. Try both and decide for yourself. The crab soup dumpling is also good, but the pork is better. Other notable favorites are the tomato and egg and pancake scallion. Pass on the Chinese broccoli with garlic.
(4)M H.
This place is amazing... I am a foodie and i love asian food. This place is a bit of a hole in the wall, location may seem a bit strange (it is right next to the china town bus station); but, its def the best dim sum in town. I should say that if u are looking for traditional american-style Chinese this may not be the place for you. BUT if u are looking for the real-deal dim sum this is your spot!
(5)Jaime J.
I have seriously walked past this place at least 100 times and never gave it a second look - truly my oversight! This is a clear example of 'don't judge a book by it's cover' or 'it's what's on the inside that counts'. Dim Sum Garden is located on North 11th Street right next to Reading Terminal Market within the 'tunnel' where the bus station is located. The location is less than ideal with all of the noise and exhaust from the buses - but if Anthony Bourdain has taught me anything, it's to expect wonderful things in the oddest of places! Soup Dumplings. #1 and #2 on the menu...also called Juicy Buns...are a must-try! Filled with a light ginger-laced broth and pork filling (similar to what you get in typical pork dumplings) and served with a dark ginger sauce - these little pouches will have your eyes rolling back in your head! We had also ordered the fried pork dumplings - delicious and perfect as well! DSG also offers several rice and noodle entrees. The noodle entrees can either be served dry or as soup. Dry is a bit misleading as the noodles are actually served with a sweet and earthy brown sauce and choice of meat. The sauce has hints of Chinese five spice and garlic. I had ordered the Crispy Duck Noodle. The duck was fried and served with a glaze similar to the sauce on the noodles. The entrees are served with sauteed bok choy and pickled vegetables. We enjoyed our dinner so much, we came back the next day for lunch! I think my next trip will be a meal consisting only of dumplings! DSG needs to make a t-shirt that says, "Juicy Buns"!
(4)Leslie J.
This place may lack decor, but it is on point with their staple dishes. Shumai is not your typical -- sticky rice surprise! Scallion pancakes are nice and crisp. The handmade noodles are no joke here. You can taste just how fresh they are and the texture is just right. And that dumpling sauce is quite memorable..I don't know what they put in that tasty potion but it is G double O D--GOOD!
(4)Ally D.
Agreed on the xiao long bao soup dumplings. Very tasty and definately would return for those. But I warn anyone from the West Coast coming here to feel like SF/LA Chinatown home. I think she said this is "Shanghai" dim sum. I might have the location wrong but regardless the differences are huge. First and foremost, a shu mai is more like a dumpling with sticky rice and a bit of meat (rice ball), not pure pork with a shrimp on top. The Har Gow uses tiny tiny shrimp and no ginger, so it ends up tasting like a really cheap version of Har Gow. The onion pancake I think I've had better; it was more dense than I like. The pork potstickers were ok. We got a noodle dish that was pretty good with a nice tea flavor to it. Overall, if I didn't have expectations for tastes of home or didn't know better I wouldn't have been so disappointed. But I feel like a lot of Philly Asian food reviews are done by people who don't know better. Coming from SF, there aren't exactly a ton of Asians here.
(3)Samantha H.
There is not much I can say about Dim Sum Garden that hasn't been said before. Every time I go I get those phenomenal soup dumplings. (Or, if you want to sound smart and cultured, xiao long bao.) Absolutely out of this world, so tasty and fun to eat too. I'm glad I read how to eat them before visiting, though, or I imagine I'd be totally lost. The trick is to bit a small hole, suck out the soup, and then eat the dumpling. Even with this method I usually end up spilling a little. Just adds to the fun though! Of course, I can't ignore those scallion pancakes. Perfectly crisp and tasty and well complemented by the dipping sauces provided on the table. I have no idea what either of them are, but both are really good. I like sticking the dumplings in them after getting the soup out too. I like taking a friend or two to split these with otherwise I will seriously gorge myself. Not that I don't otherwise. So next time you maybe just got out of a show at the Troc or have a good twenty minutes until your train arrives at Market East but your tummy's grumbling, skip the toasted ravioli from WaWa (though that's good too) and stop by Dim Sum Garden. Probably the same price, too!
(5)Michael B.
Shanghai Steamed Buns. Try to say it out loud, without snickering. Just try. Done laughing? Good, now go order some from Dim Sum Garden. For those of you who haven't had them before, here's the way to eat them. Bite the top off, blow inside to cool the soup down, and then drop in some sauce (if you so desire). Pop the dumpling into your mouth. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. Eventually, Nirvana will be reached. The other food is top notch as well, and I'd recommend ordering a side of some sort of veggie with the dumplings.
(5)Nikita K.
I'm allergic to gluten so I can't eat the dumplings, which they are known for. So I always get the minced pork noodle (dry with rice noodle) and it is absolutely delicious!!!!
(4)Caroline V.
You go here for the food, not the ambiance. It's under the tunnel a couple doors away from Wawa on Arch, next door to the chinatown bus terminal, but it's worth the visit. Cheap tasty food with fast friendly service. Once you sit down you'll notice 3 different containers of sauces to use with your food (fave is the ginger vinegar sauce & the hot chili!). And they'll bring you hot tea (as expected for an asian restaurant) We always order the soup dumplings (only place I've found these in philly) and the scallion pancakes (soooooo good). On a cold day, the soup dumplings are the best thing, make sure you have a soup spoon at the ready b/c once you bite in, hot soup will come gushing out (you've been warned). Great cheap find and despite the area, I've taken my mom and she loved it! It's all about the FOOD.
(4)Steve M.
Ok Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) subpar level compared to joe's shanghai in nyc/flushing but it's the best philly can offer right now. the rice dishes and noodle soups are not worth getting. it's kind of an embarrassment to put out these kind of low quality rice dishes and noodle soups. But if you crave some soup dumplings this is the place to go in philly.
(2)Evonne L.
disclaimer: this place is right next to an underpass in what looks like a restaurant that should be attached to a gas station. thus, it is not called high class dim sum garden for a reason. once you keep that in mind visit this place (in the daytime i would reccommend) and actually taste the steamed soup dumplings, you'll realize that its not too bad. i'm giving this place 3 stars SOLELY on the soup dumps, in which good ones are actually hard to find. thin skin, juicy but not greasy broth, and tasty meat center is what i'm talking about. this is definitely a good cheap eats place, but don't expect mind blowing amazingness.
(3)Christine O.
I love me some dim sum!! Especially ones with soup inside at really cheap prices. The place is conveniently located in front of where the big buses from NY-DC stop at so you can quickly get in for a good meal. + cheap prices + soup dumplings (crab or just pork) DELICIOUS + pan fried dumplings are delicious + sauce is delicious + authentic presentation ++ everything delicious!! - only one bathroom - small place Wish northern VA had a place like this... every time we go to Philly, this place is a must go to and we tell all our friends too (they haven't been disappointed).
(5)Chris W.
This divey place that looks like you want to stay away has some of the best dumplings I have ever had! Place was recommended on chef's feed app and it did not disappoint. They recommended the pork or pork and crab soup dumplings. They were delicious, the staff was friendly enough to tell me how to eat them also and which of the condiments were to be used with what I ordered. Go don;t be scared of the looks of it and enjoy the food.
(4)JR W.
Okay...I only go for 2 things (sometimes 3): pork soup dumplings pan fried pork soup bun (shrimp dumpling) Although soup dumplings have become synonymous with Shanghai, they are actually offered all over the region in China. The pan fried soup bun is a rare creature, originated and typically can be found only in Shanghai and its outskirts. Anyway, both are really good. The KEY is that you must eat them while they are hot. Take out is a no-no bc the soup quickly gelatinizes. In fact, the owner might berate you if you do not remember this. They prepare everything fresh so the pan fried ones will take at least 15 min, but the steamed soup dumplings are much faster. It's definitely hole in the wall, too busy for the small space, and somewhat suspect in terms of cleanliness (my baby caught a cold bug 2 out of the last 3 times we've gone), but one bite, and you'll understand why we keep going back.
(4)David L.
Overall, I can sum up with: good Dim Sum. I haven't ordered anything off the menu, and that's not what they specialize in, but for dim sum I don't think you can find anything better in Philly. The matuan (sesame-coated glutinous rice balls stuffed with red bean) were every bit as good as the ones I got most mornings in China, and the siu mai was top-notch. Everything else we ordered was almost as good. The staff was friendly enough, and willing to entertain my poor attempts at quizzing them about the contents of various dumplings in Cantonese. They also understood my follow-up queries in Mandarin, and replied in either Mandarin or English to allow me to save some face. Manager was both polite and tolerant of my chatting with him on the way out. The atmosphere left something to be desired; though it was very "dim sum," it was a little on the drab side. I've been in some truly palatial dim sum kitchens before, and this didn't quite measure up. The food, though, did.
(4)Joylynn H.
This is not your typical push the cart dim sum place. Poor Philly for rating this place an overall 4 star, when it's a big disappointment. However, the soup dumplings was a pleasant surprise.
(1)simone H.
A true diamond in the rough. The dingy fast food looking exterior is quite a deception to the incredibly authentic Chinese dishes inside. The crab/pork soup dumplings are a must, and the sweet soy sauce in the porcelain jars on the table are a perfect accompaniment. I found the best way to eat their soup dumplings with the least amount of wasted juice is to place the dumpling onto a spoon, bite a tiny hole on the side, let it cool, carefully sip the juice, pour soy sauce into the hole, and take a bite. Divine. The braised beef over noodles or the understated eggs and tomatoes over rice make perfect main course. Dishes are full of flavor, but not too greasy or heavily sauced. Amazingly cheap, and although not the ideal place for a first date, it's perfect for dinner with a few friends.
(5)Jillian N.
The food is absolutely delicious, and the service is attentive and pleasant. I still can't get over how good the food was for the price - two people can get VERY full off of $20 worth of food. The only reason I can't give this 5 stars is because the restaurant itself was very basic. Ikea furniture, bright florescent lights. It's basically the best hole-in-the-wall.
(4)Bill F.
I eat here every time I visit Philadelphia. The food is so delicious. Really it's comfort food. The family/staff are professional and friendly. They make you feel like a welcomed guest in their home.
(5)Jeffry C.
everything I had here was mediocre. pan fried buns (xian jian bao) was all flavorless bun boiled dumpling was ok. pork chop rice sucked. way too much starch in the sauce. xiaolongbao was whatevs the meat in the beef pocket was cold and bland but it's cheap!
(2)Seema F.
This place is very overrated, which is strange since it's a dingy little place under the overpass by the convention center bus station. It's not really a a dim sum restaurant like the name suggests. The actual menu has standard Chinese fare and the dim sum menu has about 18 items, many of which are not even dim sum (scallion pancake, french fries, and a fried chicken and fries combo?!) We ordered scallion pancake, panfried chives and pork bun, Shanghai crab and pork juicy bun (xiao long bao), shrimp dumpling, and shanghai siumai. The pan-fried chive buns were decent, but a bit small. The scallion pancake was crispy, but fairly standard. The shrimp dumpling was the most basic dumpling you can get. It was just a piece of shrimp in a steamed wrapper. Not very good. The shanghai siumai was very interesting--it was a purse shaped dumpling, rather than the standard siumai shape, filled with what appeared to be rice and meat. The juicy bun was about the best thing there, but with the tiny plates and spoons, it was difficult to eat without spilling everywhere. My only other complaint is that the tables have chili sauce, ginger sauce, and dumpling sauce, but no soy like all the other dim sum restaurants seem to have. I like all those sauces, but I really need soy for certain dumplings. Overall, it's a ok place to grab a dumpling while waiting for the bus. The juicy dumpling was good, but it is nothing I would go out of my way for.
(3)Kristin H.
I've been hitting the really yummy food jackpot lately! And it's about time since I've walked by Dim Sum garden, like, a million zillion times. So, a zillion years ago, I tried Dim Sum while living in Chicago and I hated it. It just wasn't that good, leaving a friend and I sitting there asking ourselves "Is this what non-Americanized Chinese food tastes like or does this just suck?". I remember the best thing from that meal being a turnip cake, otherwise, I felt like this vegetarian was mostly left hung out to dry. The cool little cart didn't even make it better, either. Although I still don't have the answers to these questions, I am so happy to tell you that everything I tried tonight at the Dim Sum Garden was delicious! I found myself here after a friend suggested that we and three other ladies meet here for dumplings before a show at the Union Transfer. For around $15 each (with tip), all of us gals shared the bok choy, scallion pancake, and a whole lot of dumplings! We all left feeling pretty full and pleased with our food. I'm going to go ahead and say that the scallion pancake was the most tasty for the price ($2.50), but the bok choy was something I could eat an entire plate of (theory almost tested: I shared, but it was mostly all for me). The dumplings definitely held their own. Between the shrimp and the veggie, I couldn't declare a winner because they were so equally good. I might have liked the veggie quite a bit because someone ordered theirs pan fried, which made them a little special. I recommend trying both steamed and fried: each method of preparation gives each variety of dumpling a new taste. Definitely try the different sauces at each table, too, which were soy sauce blends of deliciousness. Our service, the food, and the prices are all great. Dim Sum Garden may be my new favorite place in Chinatown! Yeah! Keep it growin', guys.
(5)Sara S.
DIM SUM GARDEN!!! GO! EAT DELICIOUS DUMPlINGS!!!! Ok- back to using my indoor voice. My love/dining companion and I have been coming here for years and I can't believe I haven't submitted a review. Each visit makes me excited to return. Items that you must order to fully fall madly in dumpling love: -steamed pork dumplings (soupy goodness awaits!) -pan fried veggie dumplings. They're big time tasty. -Shanghai SiuMai, a lovely combination of sweet sticky rice, pork and mushrooms. -daikon cake (turnip cake as said by the waiter) Something that has really made me love coming here is that when its quiet sometimes you catch somebody hand making the dumplings. And the value is hard to beat. I took one star away because when its busy it can be utter chaos and there is little organization for moments like that.
(4)Isaac N.
Loved it! We visited Phili last week and went for dinner. The service, hospitality, food, flavors and price everything was Awesome. I highly recommend them. Don't forget to try the dumplings.
(5)A R.
Just wanted to update, I am told that the business receiving the good reviews closed in 2013 and another place opened with the same name in the same location. The review I left is for the new business
(3)Carol C.
I know sometimes we can get in the mood for just some down and dirty Chinese food, especially if it involves soup dumplings, and even if it means dropping by a shady looking joint under the bridge complete with Ikea furniture. I've been here multiple times, and have willingly sacrified cleanliness and service for some bomb soup dumplings. HOWEVER. There is still a LIMIT to the disgustingness and horrible service one can handle. First of all, we arrived with a party of 6 - maybe a bit large for this tiny joint, because things seemed to have fallen apart after we arrived. 1) They left used napkins on our chairs. Not wanting to touch them, I tried to ask a server for a napkin so I could get rid of it, but nope, expecting them to merely hand me a spare napkin was too much to ask. I eventually had to walk over to another table to get a napkin. 2) ONE person ordered out of the six, which apparently terrified the server because she ran away and never returned. After the ONE person ordered, ALL HIS FOOD CAME OUT within 3 minutes, which would've been pretty awesome...IF ALL OF US HAD ALREADY ORDERED. Basically, he began eating his food before our second person even ordered. 3) When we got a different server (yes, our server had disappeared off the face of the earth), she decided to take our menus before we even ordered. I had to remind her that only ONE of the 6 of us had ordered and took the menus back. 4) After ordering our soup dumplings, she brought out one plate at a time, which is fine. HOWEVER! While we were eating out of one of the plates, she came by with the second batch, and placed them ON TOP of the one we were eating out of. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 5) While we were searching for any server to get our check at the end, I witnessed the main worker work the register, then wipe her greasy forehead, walk over to the kitchen, and pick up the food with her BARE HANDS and place them on plates before serving it to the table next to us. Honestly, Sakura's dimsum might be a little more pricey, and a little too clean for when you're in the mood for cheap Chinese food, but it is definitely worth it if you're avoiding the risk of getting hepatitis/food poisoning/frustrations from the filthiness and stupidity of Dim Sum Garden.
(1)Andre A.
Despite the name, this is definitely NOT the original Dim Sum Garden, but they don't want you to know that. The *real* Dim Sum Garden, the one that earned all the 5-star reviews, used to be in this location, but they moved to Race Street and have a different page on Yelp. This place, the old location, reopened one day under different ownership and continued doing business under the same name as if nothing happened. Can you say copycat? The food isn't terrible... but it's no match for the real place. Until I figured out the switch, I was left wondering why the quality at one of my favorites in town dropped so noticeably. It's a shame, because they're banking on the good name of a completely different place. Do yourself a favor: look up the real Dim Sum Garden and go there instead.
(2)S L.
Small family place... Great Dim sum and friendly staff. Gotta try Number 1 and Number 9. My wife and I wanted to try dim sum for V- Day!! So glad we did.... Green Tea was awsome. If you want good Dim sum this is a must place. Fast service with a great price!!
(5)Jojo Y.
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(3)David G.
The food was great. It was so cold in the place that we had to eat with heavy coats on
(3)Cindy C.
Love their soup dumplings and beef/pork packets. Simply delicious, and everything tastes really fresh. It's cheap too!
(5)Lisa C.
Went here for a late dinner (around 9pm). Xia Long Bao (soup dumplings) were good. Skin was not too thick or thin and there was an adequate amount of soup. The vinegar that they have in the jar is too strong tasting for the XLBs though. Chilli cabbage shredded pork noodle (lo mein noodle) was okay, It wasn't too greasy, which is always a good thing. Hot and sour soup was NOT what I expected. It was NOT spicy and it was NOT sour. It was slightly sweet, perhaps from the pieces of tomatoes they add in there. The consistency was also a bit watery. Price was decent. About 15 for all 3 dishes.
(2)Ng T.
Came here after work with some colleagues for dinner. I was concerned that we were going to a place for dim sum during dinner time since dim sum is generally brunch/lunch. After one look at the menu, I realized that this was not a dim sum joint, but a Shanghainese dumpling/noodle place. Nevertheless, we ordered primarily what we could find of classic dim sum dishes (soup dumplings, shao mai, shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes), a fish appetizer (a co-worker's favorite) and a beef brisket noodle to fill us up. Soup dumplings were quite good and the best thing we ordered. This should probably be more obviously celebrated on the menu because it was the best thing we ordered. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The shao mai were strangely filled with glutinous rice, which are very startling when you expect a meat filled dumpling. The shrimp dumplings were a disappointment; the skin was completely opaque (the should be translucent), fell apart when we picked it up, and did not taste particularly fresh. The scallion pancake was very thick and as a result tasted a little doughy. The fish tasted like it was canned once and then seasoned (pretty good for a canned job). The noodles were OK, but too oily for me and sadly did not come with much beef. The food is not bad if you are not familiar with real Chinese food (certainly better than most take-out joints), but it falls short if you know what you're ordering. Pros: It's cheap! Also the service was very friendly. Apparently the new one is better.
(2)Herb L.
Haven't been myself recently, but my wife's been a few times, and she says the service isn't as good as previous. The better staff got shifted to their new place Sakura down the street, we think. Any updates/commentary/corrobation of that from folks?
(3)Rethna E.
Definitely the most amazing place in Philadelphia for dim sum. I tried it a couple months back and now whenever anyone has a dim sum craving, I am so there with them! This is an incredible place with good service and a wide selection and you get so much food for little money! I can see why they do so well! I am so impressed with the quality of food here and how low key it is, and I can see why it is always doing well. Forgive the location a little, it looks a little sketchy but it is perfect and a bowl of comfort when they come towards you with those steaming buns.
(5)David F.
I can't believe there is this little unpolished gem right in the middle of Philadelphia that I've walked by about 100 times and never stopped in because I judged it by its appearance (shame on me). Not anymore, thanks to Sam and Elisha who showed us the light and taught us how to order and eat these perfect little soup dumplings that are pockets of joy. Yes, be careful that you don't bite right into them because the smoking hot soup contained inside the dumpling will explode into your mouth and cook your palate. Sam explained how we needed to open a hole and drink the soup on a spoon and then smother the dumpling with this amazing hot pepper oil that was so good I purchased a container full of the hot oil to take home (I also ate some the minute I got home). We also had the scallion toast which was also very tasty but was a little greasy but not enough to take away from the crispy little goodness it contained inside. The steamed dumplings were good (I can't say I ever had great steamed dumplings but these were good). We also had another dumpling that I can't remember the name (Sam, help me out?), but that was also a very tasty dumpling. Ahhh yes, thank you Sam, it was the Sui Mai Dumplings that I couldn't remember but my taste buds sure do and I really did like them. But nothing compares to those soup dumplings with the hot pepper oil smothered all over it. I was chowing down on that so feverously that Sam and Elisha had to stop and tell me I had soup and hot peppers dripping off of my chin and goatee (I know girls, hold yourselves back from all this sexiness that is me. I know the grease dripping off the chin is a real turn on and almost compares to Jim's dribble). The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I haven't had the full menu and I'm reserving stars just in case. The appearance of the joint gets a zero, but that is part of its charm (it keeps all the touristy ass wipes out). The soup dumplings get a 10 star from me. I'll be a regular. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to embarrass my girlfriend on this review but I just remembered that she went to the bathroom and overflowed the one and only toilet. Now she says she didn't drop a deuce and just peed but it doesn't matter. The person who overflows the toilet is still the culprit, especially since it happened BEFORE we got our food (thanks Lindsay). As a result of the overflow everyone had to hold their pee until the next bar (which was a mad dash to the toilet..... like a pack of racehorses when we got there). Thank you Sam and Elisha for the new discovery.
(4)Mike M.
Bus depot. Fried chicken joint. Bum. Wawa. Wait, there's something else on 11th Street underneath that dingy Convention Center overhang... Dim Sum Garden! The main point of our visit was Xiao Long Bao, known to us white people as Soup Dumplings. We got the pork filled ones and loved every bite. They were in the upper rung of Asian dishes I've ever had. We also got the duck over noodles. The duck was cooked really well and the noodles were spectacular. Actually, we started to order the duck over rice but the waitress was kind enough to steer us in the right direction. I've had scallion pancakes on several occasions in the past but the ones at DSG were exceptional, probably the best. The Bok Choy was also very tasty and we got a few other plates that were equally delicious. We were there for dinner on Saturday night and it wasn't crowded but I would imagine this place fills up for the weekend brunch crowd. Ignore the sketch and check this place out! Just look for the one business on this block without the stench of death all over it and you've found it!
(4)Mimi R.
I am a big fan of steamed soup dumplings. If you haven't tried them before, it's basically a steamed dumpling that is extra juicy. The outer skin should be on the thin side, unlike the regular steamed dumplings that you get from Chinese restaurants. I really enjoyed the soup dumplings here. I read a review about this place and decided to try it for lunch one day. Very happy tummy! ;o) Now, I wouldn't say that this is a good hang-out place or a place to take a date. The decor is lacking. It's not trendy or romantic. Just go there if you're hungry for soup dumplings. Another note, the restaurant is right next door to a Chinatown bus company (not the one that I usually use). So, eat some soup dumplings to fill your tummy and then hop on a bus to New York and have a night out on the town! It's only 2 hours each way ... I haven't tried anything else on the menu. When I do, I'll revise my review.
(4)Howard C.
Great food, service and value. The place is small and there was a line of people waiting for a table, get there early to be sure to have a seat. I would however HIGHLY recommend them to anyone and will definitely be back.
(4)Shannon M.
I've been here twice and while I agree with the other reviewers that this place is definitely a hidden gem, I don't think my experience has been that amazing. Maybe I'm not ordering the right food? Both times I've been here for lunch take out. The first time I ordered the Shanghai Wonton Soup which was a massive portion full of wontons and only about 5 bucks. I thought the soup tasted great but could've used some hot sauce to spice it up. The second time I was here I ordered the pork dumpling soup. This time my experience wasn't so great. I found the soup to taste overwhelming of seaweed. It had a very fishy taste to it that I wasn't expecting. I also asked for hot sauce that I never received. Next time I go back (and I will go back) I'll have to try something the other reviewers suggest.
(3)Jenna M.
So good! Scallion pancakes!! Damn! Lots of vegetarian options...I'm going to have to go back many times so I can sample everything. Yum! Very unassuming on the outside...kind of looks like a dive...but once you get in you see that the place is very clean and the people who work there are super friendly. They're also really good at getting you to order more food. Those pumpkin cakes were a delicious addition to our meal.
(5)Zach Z.
Great food even though the restaurant looks sketchy o the outside
(5)Emanuel K.
One of my favorite spots in China town, and one of the few places with true Shanghainese dishes. While the atmosphere is somewhat drab, and the exterior may cause you to mistake the place for a cafeteria for the bus station next door, the food will quickly expunge your mind of all such thoughts. While Craig LaBan made this place known for its soup dumplings (which are out of this world), other dishes such as egg and tomato over rice and pork sauce noodle are equally outstanding and should not be overlooked. The food is delicious, the service is excellent and the prices are remarkably cheap.
(5)David C.
This is not the "original" dim sum garden--the real place moved and some new crummy owners kept the name to try to retain the business. For the "old" dim sum garden, go to their new location at 1020 Race St.
(1)Trong T.
Food is amazing!!!! They are almost always packed. Try the soup dumpling and any of the homemade noodles. Don't be put off by the location... it's worth trying!!
(5)Kaori I.
After reading Yelp I went to Dim Sum Garden. While we were waiting for the food to come, I saw a guy came out of the kitchen with a 50 lb. bag of MSG. Then all I could taste was MSG afterwords. I was very disappointed.
(1)Tatyana M.
We've read so many good reviews here about this dump and are sooo SORRY that we believed them. Staying at Hilton Garden Inn right across the street we thought that it's a good idea to have a brunch here. That was a BIG MISTAKE!!! First of all I don't understand why they put the word "garden" in their name, because the smell of urine from the outside bus stop follows you in and makes you think about public restroom rather then a garden. Well, so much for the ambiance... Now to the FOOD: shortly said it's the most disgusting Chinese food we've ever tasted. Don't take me wrong. We LOVE all kinds of Asian cuisine. We LOVE soup dumplings and everything connected with the words "dim sum". BUT THIS WAS THE YUKKYEST food we consumed of that kind. The dishes they brought to us looked NOTHING LIKE the pictures of them that's were were hanging on the walls. They were bland, tasteless ( in some parts of dough wraps dried out) and unappetizing looking. Service was OK. Well, If this is what some people call "the best soup dumplings in Philly" then we can't imagine what would be the worst. BTW all through the day (it was Saturday) we had to pass it by couple of times and saw mostly empty room there, which shows how popular this place is. We don't appreciate these misleading reviews and try to worn people from repeating our mistake. This restaurant in our opinion deserves 0 stars.
(1)Hubert L.
located next to the 'chinatown bus' stop, it looks like a chinese take out spot with all the lighted pictures of general tso's and friends above the counter. nope. this place only serves the real deal northern chinese food. and no, they don't even have dim sum. gottem! get the xiao long bao. these are the real deal. fresh, soupy, and steaming hot. the regular dumplings (boiled or pan fried) are also so very fresh. they use freshly made wrappers too. noodle dishes use freshly made noodles as well. basically, everything is fresh and home made, like mom made it. assuming your mom is chinese, that is.
(5)Greg R.
Soup DUMPLINGS says it all. This place was my first experience with these amazing soup filled buns of goodness. The staff does not speak english well so its best to know what you want before you go or just point it out on the menu. I suggest the pork soup dumplings (steamed buns), Scallion Pancakes, and a noodle dish served dry. My friends have not had good experiences with the soups so I would avoid that. You may also want to get a drink from the fridge as the water looks questionable. Also note that they generally serve all your courses at the same time which is weird but you can be in and out in under 30 minutes which is great. The interior is nothing special and the outside bus station area isnt exactly desirable but the soup dumplings make that all go away. If your up for trying something new this is your place without spending a lot of coin.
(4)Ellena S.
**Vegetarian review** DSG is best known for their xiao long bao, which I introduced my boyfriend to, and he loves. Unable to partake because I'm a vegetarian (sadly.. used to love XLB, as my dad is from the Shanghai region), I tried two menu items: 1. Steamed vegetable dumplings. These were filled with vegetables, little bits of tofu, and a couple thin, vermicelli-like noodles. These were good, filled much better than most dumplings in the US, and the wrappers were nice and thin. A couple dumplings were a little too dry, but what I really loved was the "dumpling sauce" - a sweet soy sauce that I couldn't quite place, but was great (they also have the standard vinegar with ginger slivers and chili oil). 2. Cold cucumbers. A dish I love, their rendition was good but a little too salty. Prefer the one at Su Xing. Yes, it's crappy, literally a hole-in-the-wall.. but Philly's gems are often in unsuspecting places. DSG is great for those who want to try soup dumplings, and not shabby for veg-heads, either.
(4)Perry A.
The xiao long tang bao (soup dumplings) brought me back to the summer i spent in Shanghai, teaching english to aspiring teachers. Of course, in the PRC, you could get a large basket of the dumplings (around 18 per basket) for a mere $.60 US, and they while didn't have the soup in the dumplings, the trademark thin skin and juicey gingered pork within were spot on at Dim Sum Garden. With the demise of Lakeside, this has risen to the top of my personal go to places in C-town. Also worthy of rtying are their scallion pancakes (a little greasier than I'd like, but nice balance of dough and scallion flavor), storemade noodles (I get it dry) with either their red cooked chicken or eel. My kids love their fried dumplings (guo ti). The counter service is friendly enough, but they do less well when they are busy.
(4)Diana N.
I was on the east coast so far from home and craved some good Chinese takeout. Since it was a solo trip, my boyfriend didn't want me staying out too late, especially not walking around alone at night. I tried to order take out, but it was a little too confusing for me, so I tried calling them and there was some miscommunication. In the end, I decided to walk there really quick to order the take-out and then head back to my hotel pronto. When I got there, my negative impression of them totally diminished! The workers there are the nicest I have ever known in the restaurant business. They were very helpful based more on genuine generosity rather than acting that way just to get business. They double-checked my order before creating it, made sure I had everything I needed, and even when I was walking out the door, one of their workers ran up to me last minute and handed me a physical copy of their menu to keep ("for next time" they said even though they knew I was from California). I ordered the PEKING DUCK OVER RICE dish and a WONTON SOUP. Man, it was a lot of food! I loved the PECKING DUCK OVER RICE dish (I'm a little bias with duck - love the fatty duck skin) because the rice had this sauce over it that made everything so sweet and savory. However, I really wish the rice was more fresh because it did taste a little rough/hard and I believed it to be a day old and not fresh. The duck meat wasn't the thickest or meatiest, but hey, it was a cheap dish so I knew I shouldn't expect much. As for the WONTON SOUP, it was so huge (enough for 2 people as a simple appetizer). There were 10 wontons in there and I couldn't finish it all. I remembered the wonderful service more than the food though, because they seem to be people who are really passionate about their food and really care for their customers. Hoping to visit them again whenever I'm back in Philadelphia!
(4)Amanda N.
We were craving some Asian comfort food after a long rainy day. Wanted to try something new and liked the casual happy vibe that we saw through the window as we were strolling around Chinatown and decided to give dim sum garden another chance after being underwhelmed by the other location. The service is friendlier and much warmer here. The food came out faster and fresher tasting with a slightly thinner skin to the pork soup dumplings-- hallelujah! Delicious soupy fresh dumplings = done deal/happy tummy. The napa and pork dumplings weren't bad though wouldn't order them again. The spicy tripe dish (which is a cold appetizer-- we were surprised) wasn't bad either. The brisket noodle soup was a huge generous serving with a nice handful of fresh choy. I would definitely come back!
(4)Michelle P.
Silly me. I thought I was ordering delivery from Dim Sum Garden, but apparently I ordered delivery from the Original Dim Sum Garden. With all the hype about Dim Sum Garden, I was super excited to try it. Luckily, I've never eaten at either location before so therefore no comparisons or disappointment was needed. I ended up with some pretty yummy Chinese food. My hubby and I went to town and ordered the hot & spicy soup, chili cabbage shredded pork soup, Pork with Sauce Noodle, the chives & pork dumplings and finally the scallion pancake. I didn't love the soups. This was my first foray into both hot & spicy and chili cabbage shredded pork so it was probably more a personal preference thing. The hot & spicy soup was thick with egg, tofu and noticeable peppers. I found it hard to eat after a while. The shredded pork soup was a broth that just got boring to eat after a while. You live, you learn. On the other hand, the rest of the order rocked! This was hands down the best scallion pancake I've ever had. It was kind of greasy, but in a good way. It was soft and full of scallion with each bite. The pepper dipping sauce was a killer edition. The chive and pork dumplings were also really great. There was an option for steamed or fried so we went with steamed. While they were still technically small dumplings, they were pretty stuffed and not tiny. There were 10 to an order for about $6.00 which I thought was a good deal. The star of the show was the Pork with Sauce Noodle. We opted for the hand-made noodles and declined the option soup. I've had similar dishes but nothing exactly like it. It was really flavorful and tasty. Next time I'd probably give them a try in person though. The $5.99 Grubhub delivery fee was a little steep. The food was pretty inexpensive so that could have gone to an entire extra item. So I didn't eat from the restaurant I wanted, but I ended up with another good option in Chinatown
(4)S C.
Perfect. Very pleasant, attentive service. Meal starts off with hot tea. Food was delicious, served hot and quick. We had pork dumplings, sweet potato pancakes, chilli cabbage shredded pork soup, and spring rolls. Yummy. : ) All for just $13. Came back a few days later. Exactly the same. Great service, great good, great prices
(5)Stella L.
Went here just for the xiao long bao! I have to say its pretty good. They have hands down the best sauce to dip it in..its slightly sweet and very delicious. I wish more places offered this sauce. Scallion pancakes were also yummy! Oo also the prices are super cheap. We got two orders of the soup dumplings and a scallion pancake for 16 dollars!
(4)Henry K.
I came in here mistaking it for the new Dim Sum Garden. The food was so so. The bottom of the soup dumplings kept breaking and leaking soup. I wasn't crazy about the location of the restaurant (next to the bus station in an alley). While eating my food, a woman in the kitchen suddenly gave a loud scream...don't even want to think about what could possibly scare a Chinese cook.
(2)Ilikeboa C.
Read all the reviews about how awesome their soup dumplings was and got all excited. We ended our trip in Philly with a taste of China and left a bit discontented. The experience and the service was overall "ok" but I guess the overhype of the food killed it especially when a long tiring day did not meet its reward. We ordered soup dumpling and YangZhou(Yueng Chow) Fried Rice. The dumplings had too much dough and it was a bit hard to chew off the top. I am not sure if their vinegar sauce was specially made like most other Shanghainese cuisines, this place gives you a bottled vinegar. Usually Shanghainese cuisine serve the vinegar sauce in a cup with ginger and they tasted so darn good with the soup dumplings. Obviously it was not the case here. The soup part of the soup dumpling was so plain I thought I was tasting water. YangZhou Fried Rice came with a big portion and I was so full that I couldn't stand straight. I was full but felt empty. The dish tasted plain and nothing like what I had before. I appreciate the fact that no MSG was added but at least pour some salt or something. This review might be a bit biase since I am never tried their dim sum. For those who didn't know, dim sum is part of the Cantonese cuisine. Soup dumpling is part of the Shanghainese cuisine. One just can't be good at both. For those who are visiting NYC, try Joe's Shanghai. Their soup dumplings are genuine.
(3)Susan R.
My favorite Chinese restaurant ever. And when I say ever, I mean ever--I don't even live in Philly. I always get the following and it always rocks my world: xiaolong bao (so good) scallion pancakes (omg) Chinese broccoli (yessss) some kind of pan-fried dumplings And then whatever else looks good. Very affordable, very tasty, good service and super prompt.
(5)Sofia C.
BEST authentic Shanghainese food~! Although it may not be the greatest location or look the bestest, the quality of the food they provide makes up for it. I have tried their food since they first opened and was sad when they decided to close down and followed them till they reopened again and STILL they have NEVER failed to satisfy my cravings. They have the best scallion pancakes, shanghai wontons, and xiaolong baos (soup dumplings) that Philly has to offer. Their prices are affordable and their service is great. People talk and things happen. All the speculations about who the real owner is does not really matter. What matters is the taste and satisfaction that is guaranteed once you step into their store.
(5)C C.
I returned here with my boyfriend because he was craving some dim sum. As I tried some new dishes, I realized that most of what I had was more of a three-star than a four-star rating. We had the steamed pork soup dumplings and scallion pancakes again, and they didn't disappoint. This time, we also ordered a dish of seaweed, which was really salty--it made the tea taste sweet. The seaweed and egg soup was also on the saltier side, but not as extreme. Although it's called an egg drop soup, it looks like the cut the egg into strips after it was cooked to resemble the seaweed more. Although it was more visually appealing, the egg tasted a little hard. One thing I do enjoy about the soups I've tried is that they aren't thickened. We also tried the sweet potato cakes, which were fried and crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with red bean. While I did like them, they were too greasy for my taste. Overall, the dishes here tend to be too salty or too greasy for me. However, the staff here are always super-friendly, prices are reasonable (this meal was $20 including tax), and complementary tea is always a plus. This isn't my favorite place in Chinatown, but I don't mind going with my boyfriend when he's in the mood for some dim sum.
(3)Amber B.
Dim Sum Garden is really food and cheap. Out of town friends and I stopped in, and not knowing what to have, we asked the waitress for suggestions. Tons of tasty dishes later, the juicy dumplings, vegetable buns, and Chinese broccoli were our favorite. We left very full for less than $15/person. I will be taking my next guests.
(4)James M.
I travel across town just to eat there. Fresh dim sum, made while you wait -usually 10 minutes or so. No matter how difficult they are to eat, the juicy buns are amazing. Between them and the pan fried dumplings, I can't bring myself to order anything else off their menu. Little skill or care was put in to the boxy, fluorescent space, but the staff is lovable -and if you can't stand to eat there, they serve to go as well.
(5)Connie C.
The soup dumplings are the best in in Philadelphia! Their soupless noodles are also fantastic. Both dumplings and noodles are handmade and worth the trip.
(5)Sean M.
I just moved to Philly after 7 years in San Francisco, so my soup dumpling standards are high. Dim Sum Garden has phenomenal soup dumplings. They call them pork buns or something like that (top of the menu). Pork soup dumplings, crab soup dumplings, you can't go wrong. They are out of this world. Also, the food is super cheap and the staff is very nice. Go there. Now.
(5)v h.
Great low-key lunch place. They have inexpensive & tasty rice dishes, and the scallion pancakes were thin and had lots of scallions. The duck with homemade noodles was the highlight of our meal. While the soup dumplings were good, they don't top Joe's Shanghai. Don't be fooled, it's not real dim sum!
(3)Marissa E.
Dim Sum Garden looks like your average hole in the wall Chinese place, and for extra hole in the wall cred it's in the weird tunnel on 11th Street next to one of the Chinatown bus stations. A part of me wonders if I'd be so blown away if Dim Sum Garden were in a slightly nicer location, because the contrast between the location and the amazing food is so startling. We were told to pick a seat and the waiter kept filling our mugs with hot green tea. i don't think my mug was more than half-empty for the entire meal. He also suggested the veggie dumplings, which I didn't get to try, but that's on my list for my next visit. I met a friend here last night for a late dinner before a show at the Troc. I had only intended to split a few orders of dim sum, but we ended up getting noodle soup as well. The soup dumplings were, as always, delicious, and it's fun to see a newbie try to eat them without getting soup everywhere. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, probably some of the best I've ever had. My friend got the duck noodle soup and I got the vegetarian one. His had huge pieces of duck meat; mine was full of bok choy and pickles. I would have liked a little more variety in the veggies (and more of those delicious pickles!), but the bok choy was super ripe and crunchy, even after sitting in the soup. I found the broth to be kind of bland, but that was punched up by a healthy helping of dumpling sauce and a spoonful of the chili sauce at the table. (There was also a ginger sauce, but I didn't like it that much.) This enormous amount of food for two people came to - wait for it - $21. The only thing better than good food is good food for super cheap, and that's why I love Dim Sum Garden.
(4)Bob L.
This "interesting" eatery gets three stars simply for the soup dumplings. I've ordered many other things on the menu and frankly most of their dishes other than the delicious soup dumplings aren't worth it. I will say though that the dumpling soup is fairly good. The Eel soup, though, was bland and forgettable. Forget about ordering ahead either. It's basically the luck of the draw if you get soup dumplings...you may get them right away or have to wait 20 plus minutes for a new batch.
(3)AJ C.
We just ate here about an hour ago, after reading all the wonderful reviews we just had to try it....so we drove an hour from DE and came out so disappointed, we were scared by the facade but that was expected, so, we still went in. Parking in the area was $24...which is not sooooo worth what we went there for. If you were only there to eat the soup dumplings then you'll be satisfied, however, I also ordered the general Tso's which tasted like an orange chicken and our friend ordered a wanton soup that tasted like water. He should know good food, he's a very good cook! Needless to say, next time we come back here we'll be visiting Wokano again.
(1)Dawn R.
Not exactly my ideal of a dim sum restaurant, this was never the less a perfect place to stop and get lunch. While our initial waitress obviously was still in training and working on her English, she was supported by a number of friendly, helpful coworkers who seemed genuinely concerned about our experience. The wonton soup was perfect for a nursing a hangover. The crab dumplings strangely liquidy and very hot...a bit challenging to eat. Best of all was the price. Very affordable and tasty.
(3)Jemma C.
Yum yum dim sum. This place is beyond cheap, it's practically free! The service was warm and efficient and the dumplings were delicious. We ordered way too much food and yet still managed to get through it all as it was so tasty. $14 each including tip for full bellies? Yes please.
(4)francis d.
I'm pretty surprised at the lack of dim sum spots in philly's chinatown. After seeing all praise this place was receiving I thought it would be top notch. I was wrong, this place is mediocre at best. Me and my group of five had the scallion pancake, siu mai ( which had rice in it, which was meh), pork and chive pan fried dumplings, and the soup dumplings (forgot what they were called). Nothing really stood out, maybe the dumplings with soup inside. I admit I am pretty spoiled since I'm from southern california originally. But for all the high reviews.... I dont get it.
(3)Chris W.
Best dumplings in PA. They will change your life and worth the trip every time. I went here with my college friends @ del val college and we took pictures with the owner, who is so humble. Dim Sum Garden has the best dumplings In Pa and is extremely affordable.
(5)Elise K.
This is probably the best and most memorable dim sum I've had in Philly. Don't go for the ambiance, and don't expect white linen tablecloth service. It's fast, friendly and delicious. Four people stuffed ourselves here for under $45, which is also a huge draw considering how quality the flavors are. Of course we had soup dumplings (need to work on perfecting my soup dumpling technique), which were a hit with everyone. Other great dishes - scallion pancakes, shrimp dumplings, seaweed salad and sautéed bok choy by our server's recommendation (a surprise favorite). We also had some sort of minced pork noodles - very good, but sort of a poor man's Han Dynasty dan dan. It was packed on a random weekend afternoon, but it's totally worth the wait (or even having to eat standing up - you won't be able to help yourself)!
(5)Thuy F.
i absolutely love the soup dumplings here. plenty of flavor and they even show u how to eat it correctly. only gripe i have about this place is that service sucks
(5)Anne C.
I don't understand why I can't find a good dim sum place - the search continues!! So let's start off with the shady placement of this restaurant. It's not particularly in the best looking area, actually my mom had to drag me here to try the food because I was not convinced by the store front. I don't care what people say, the atmosphere of eating the food plays an important role as well! We each had a noodle dish and split some xiao long bao - it's a personal favorite of mine. The dumplings are worth trying here but everything else you could definitely pass on.
(3)Ernest S.
If you like judging a book by its cover, you probably wouldn't step in here. Which is cool, cause that just ensures a table for me to enjoy some xiao long bao! These little guys are definitely soupy and hot enough to burn the mouth if you take too large of a bite - in other words, they're pretty legit. My pickled veggie and beef noodle soup was a little salty. Guess you can't win with everything.
(4)johnnie u.
Believe the hype, the rumors are true. Dim Sum Garden has a cheerless exterior under the bus terminal complex, and the interior is an assault of bright neon and hand-written signs. But one doesn't go here for the atmosphere, it's all about the dumplings. I've sampled xiao long bao (soup dumplings) every place between Shanghai and Manhattan and Dim Sum Garden is as good as any I've had. Scallion pancakes are crispy without being greasy.
(4)Bob S.
I am kinda sorta a fan... I liked the food, but the place was freezing! Now about the food.... After a hard day of shopping at the King of Prussia mall we decided on some dim sum. When you first arrive you feel like you just walked into an annex of the chinese bus station next door...the decor is sparse and utilitarian...however peruse the menu and your thoughts change....I thought myself, "Let's have some fun." And so I did. I started with the pork dumpling soup. Dumplings were tasty but the broth was metallic tasting. Weird huh? Next up was fried egg, tomatoes, pickes, and baby bok choy....sounds gross right? Well, it worked. It was tasty as all can be. I am making it for breakfast... Next up was pork and crab something or others...they were mini explosins of pork and crab that I had to receive special instructions on how to eat. Service - is fast and mercenary. Tea - weak and metallic. Homeless people wander in at times. But hey this is Philly... Bathrooms - no idea. Did not want to know really.
(4)Ryan T.
Had the napa/pork and shrimp dumplings as well as the steamed pork juicy buns (one of their specialties). Everything was fresh, flavorful, and served quickly. Our first visit to Philly and Dim Sum Garden won't be our last!
(5)Paul P.
Wow! What a great meal. The Dim Sum was unique and tasty. Ordered the pork and crab soup dumpling, Shu Mai, Har Gao, Smoked Fish, Bok Choi and roasted duck. I wasn't successful in not making a mess with the soup dumpling, but it was so worth it in my mouth. It tasted like a wonton soup wrapped up in a dumpling. The Shu Mai normal ground pork filling was mixed with sticky rice - good creation. The Bok Choi and Fish was exceptional as well. The only dish that did not feel up to par was the the duck, only because it was normal. The server girl was very helpful and attentive. Will definitely recommend to others.
(4)Hoa T.
Yup it's official. I do not like their xiao long bao. I tried them again today and they are still pretty bland. Really, where is the crab in the filling? Did not taste it at all. The chive dumplings still taste great thank god or this would have been 2 stars for sure.
(3)Zeaten T.
Pork soup dumplings (juicy buns), best in Philly! The steamed vegetable dumplings were hand made and really good as well. I usually go here first for soup-dumpling appetizer then up to race street for the rest.
(5)Adam B.
I had a pretty good dim sum experience here, although I didn't see fun rolls on the menu. The siu mai were different than anything I've had. It seemed more of a rice/pork mix inside of the same wrapper... similar to a sticky rice filling. They had some non normal dim sum items. We tried one of them, but I can't remember the name. It was a pasty taro cake, with a big emphasis on pasty. Very good. We had some pancakes that we didn't like. It seemed like an unsalted, greasy tortilla chip.
(4)Kevin R.
When I first came through the door I had the feeling that I was in the wrong place. I'm used to the big Dim Sum houses of San Francisco and Oakland Chinatowns where a battalion of non-English speaking Chinese woman push around the traditional carts. This place had about a dozen tables and no carts. I've never had Xiao long bao and wish I had read up on these juicy bites of goodness before I arrived. The little dumpling exploded onto my shirt, pants, and table while I sat there with an expression like I had just let out a loud fart by accident. I wised up and used a soup spoon to cradle the 2nd dumpling while I carefully bit the corner off and sucked out the most amazing broth I have ever had. I also had a great flat noodle dish with pork that was quite tasty. The next time you find yourself close to this underpass by Reading Terminal, do yourself a favor and try the Xiao long bao, just remember to wear an old shirt.
(4)Michael L.
So I came back again...the next day. But this time, for dinner. I just ordered the Crab meat XLB (#2), and got some pea shoot sprouts (not on the menu, just ask for daily vegetable availability). The XLB itself was pretty good- none of them "broke" or "popped" prematurely, and all 8 had good amounts of broth in them. The broth is slightly sweet, which makes me think these folks are really from Shanghai, as Shanghainese cuisine tends to be on the sweeter side. (It's one thing to have "Shanghai" written as a descriptor of menu items, but it's another thing to actually flavor the food accordingly.) I noticed the same thing with the pea sprouts. Slightly sweet. In a good way. Gotta get my veggies in...or I'll pay for it later...in non-monetary forms... The crab topping on top of the XLB was just ok. I could go without it. I'd probably order the normal XLB next time. Yes, I do mean that I will be back before the end of this week...perhaps more than once....wait...probably, since I'll bring my friends in Philly at least once.
(4)Jay W.
The soup dumplings ( AKA the juicy pork dumplings) are amazing. Hot pork soup inside the dumpling. Be careful eating them, that you don't burn yourself. My favorite thing to do is wait until they are just cool enough and pop the whole thing into my mouth (with a little spicy oil). When you bite it that way, its like a giant savory Gusher. The Chinese broccoli is my favorite vegetable served here. It is absolutely PACKED with garlic. Great dim sum, the napa and pork dumplings are also really good, tasty steamed bok choy, pretty good noodles. Also, try the the duck fried rice, and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food comes out quickly. Not much of a decor. In the winter you'll get a cold draft every time someone comes in. Very cheap food, you could order more food than you can eat for under $10. If you are planning on using a credit card you must spend more than $15.
(5)Pira T.
Finally tried this place. Service was ok. Food was meh. Nothing special. It wasn't good at all. Don't know why people love this place so much. I was disappointed. Cause a bit more than other places in chinatown. I had dumpling, scallion pancakes, fried rice, duck and many other dishes in dim sum category. Seriously I try six places in Chinatown so far and dimsum places. I like all of them. But this place doesn't taste good at all. No flavor. Just skip this place and walk few more blocks for yummy cheaper food.
(1)Zareen S.
My sister had to beg me a lot to come here. I was verrrrrrry skeptical, and very would be an understatement. This is probably as good as Dim Sum gets. We ordered the chicken, shrimp and the pork ones. Obviously I had to be "that person" and order something "adventurous" and go with the rice filled cuties. They surprisingly tasted pretty good, if you are looking for something heavy and a bit more filling i guess. It would be safe to say, all their Dim Sum probably tastes good. 4 stars instead of 5? I am slightly OCD when it comes to cleaning restaurants [since i work in two], and the star had everything to do with how clean the place is and nothing to do with the food. Sorray!
(4)Donna C.
I really really wanted to like this place. As a general rule, after a full day of traveling dives with cheap, delicious comfort food are usually where I tend to gravitate. Dim Sum Garden looked like it was possibly capable of fulfiling all three. The place is divey. Think fluorescent lighting, rickety furniture and drop ceilings. The food is cheap-ish. An order of soup dumplings (which are pretty good) will run you about $7. An order of pan fried noodles with vegetables (meh) or maypo tofu (eh) will run you about $6.50. If you want bubble tea (I've made better, in my kitchen. Seriously) tack on another $3. The food isn't very delicous. Very salty and kind of greasy yes. I wouldn't say it was delicious though. The soup dumplings were good (To be honest, the name Dim Sum Garden is a bit of a misnomer. They actually have more dumplings than dim sum on the menu. But, I digress) but everything else was kind of meh. The noodles were overcooked and oversauced. The General Tso's chicken was a littly on the mushy side. AND we got charged $6.50 for a small plate of asparagus that we didn't order. I'd probably try one of the many other Chinese restaurants in the area before I ever go back to this place.
(2)Joyce L.
Stopped by for the high rate review. BUT Xiao Long Bo isn't authentic. :(
(1)Vinayak B.
Pretty good dim sum place. Definitely recommend the chicken on a stick, scallion pancakes and the juicy buns (xiao long bao). The siumai and the hot and sour soup were ok. Inexpensive as well
(4)Kendra L.
Delicious! We had the Pork buns, pork and chive dumplings, and the scallion pancakes. Great, cheap lunch on a cold winters day. The waitstaff seems rushed, but no big deal, the food was served hot.
(4)Lisa R.
This is what the DC to Philly Chinatown busses are made for. I will specifically go out of my way to make a day trip to eat here. the Soup Dumplings are THAT good. absolutely out of this world.
(5)Jason L.
Their pork juicy buns are soooo good. Irresistible status. I always make sure I grab some whenever I'm in Chinatown. They're even open late!! Also, I don't like the pork/shrimp ones as much as the pork ones. And none of them taste as good cold as they do warm/hot.
(5)Enid C.
I can totally understand why someone would come to a place called Dim Sum Garden looking for an enjoyable dim sum experience. I mean come on, that just makes sense. But please, do yourself a favor and do not - repeat, do NOT - go in with this mindset. If the words "Dim Sum" were the only things that drew you in to this sketchy locale, responsibly walk your stomach and your wallet over to Ocean Harbor or Joy Tsin Lau (or New York or DC). Three little words that will optimize your dining experience at DSG: xiao long bao. These tender, meaty, juicy soup dumplings are by far the best in the city (though there is not really much competition in this category). Eating them might be tricky for first-timers, so be careful as you do not want to waste a single drop of the glorious soupiness. There is honestly no need to order anything else off the menu (everything else is not exceptional), but if you are dying to have some variety (poppycock, if you ask me), the scallion pancake and some of the noodle dishes are fine. Just be careful not to order the siu mai, as it is not the porky meaty delight you might expect from a traditional dim sum establishment, but rather a little dumpling sack filled with sticky rice. For serious, xiao long bao is all you're going to need. One of the biggest and most heretical party fouls in the history of life is breaking one of these precious xiao long bao before it makes it to your plate. Your heart will sink as you helplessly watch those valuable juices escape from your reach forever. Definitely not a place for fork users.
(4)Kendra D.
Soup dumplings are wonderful!!
(5)Brian C.
I can come to this place all the time. The xiao lung bao and other dumplings here are probably the best in Philadelphia. Everything is also very affordable. The minced pork noodle is springy and delicious, the seasoning really good. The scallion pancake is perfectly crispy. The braised beef is moist and tender, both in the braised beef noodle soup as well as the beef fried rice. Definitely a must stop for good, affordable tasty Chinese food.
(4)Cherryl L.
I can't believe this place exist in Philly. I lived here for so long and have passed this place so many times. I just didn't think it was a well worth it dim sum place. Now from this day on I would say that ........... Yes, I am a fan of this place. Surely, I"ll go back to this place again. I tried the pan fried pork dumplings, at first I thought I wouldn't like it. I actually love it. Never had anything like this from any other place. It's good with the dumpling sauce. Scallion pancakes- it's crunchy although it's oily so I just had some napkins to wipe the oil off from it. It's actually cheap $2.50 for one order. Shanghai Steamed Pork Juicy Buns- didn't expect that it will be like that coz I've never had it anywhere. It was hot so be careful not to put right away in your mouth or else it will burn you. I will def go back to this place!
(4)Wendy W.
Absolutely the best Dim Sum in town!
(5)Josie L.
Here's another place that I wasn't sure about when passing by. The place is next to the bus terminal and it's pretty much a hole in the wall. Alright, let's go in... Had to order Xiao Long Bao or soup dumpling because it was recommended. The skin/wrap of the dumpling was really nice. It wasn't too thin or thick. The juice or soup of the dumpling was a little too sweet for me. The dumpling is much better than Joe's Shanghai from NYC. The dumplings here were fresh. I saw them making it. This place has an AWESOME scallion pancakes. I like it how it's thin and crispy. I get turned off by doughy pancakes. The sauce that goes with it is really good too. It has a taste of sweetness. Pickled cabbage with pork noodle soup was a disaster. The noodles were overcooked. There was not much of a taste with the dish.
(3)Kay K.
Came here right before I went back to NYC. It's a cozy spot near a shady bus station. We went around 11 am and the place was empty. The waitress lady was very nice. We ordered pork soup dumplings, crab and pork soup dumplings, pork and chive pan dumplings, and shrimp dumplings. Everything tasted great. But I found shrimp dumplings a little bit on the salty side. Reasonable prices as well. Would return again to try more of their dishes.
(4)Victor K.
Definitely cheap and delicious. Me with three others ordered two orders of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and four separate noodle dishes for 38.80 and we were stuffed. Definitely well hidden but definitely worth stopping by
(4)Millhouse R.
I came back here a couple of days ago and wasn't disappointed. On principal alone, just by serving duck gizzards to a round-eye like me without giving me an argument, this place has earned its keep. The gizzards have a nice salty (they're sprinkled with salt water) and roast duck (as in they were removed after a whole duck has been cooked) and offal flavor. Pan fried pork dumpling with chives were also delicious. Moist, liquid and separate and pronounced chive and pork flavor, the dumpling almost melts in your mouth if it wasn't for the earthy tasting skin, which absorbs some of the liquid. My seafood rolls, although mostly cabbage filled, were also good. A nice crispy and greasy skin surrounds a hearty mess of cabbage. Truly a keeper.
(4)Pauline S.
I came here recently and it is still a solid place to get shanghai juicy/soup dumplings in Philly (I've tried sang kee's version and it is always soupless). I shared 3 sets of the pork and 1 of crab mixed with pork with 2 other people. I felt like I enjoyed the crab one more but only because I got tired of eating the same pork over and over. Perhaps I would try the vegetable version next time!
(3)Jess L.
Yes, the decor is reminiscent of a school cafeteria. Yes, it is in the most non-scenic location in the city. But, oh man, I've never eaten anything here that was less than really, really good. The soup dumplings are just about perfect. I tend to get them with the scallion pancakes (delish) and/or the sesame cucumber salad (really nice cold counterpoint to the burn-you-tongue-hot soup dumplings.) So, not a date-night place (unless your date is AWESOME) but some really, really good food.
(4)A H.
The single best dish here is #2a. Shanghai Pan Fried Pork Juice Buns 6 pcs. (sheng jian bao). Just doughy enough, crispy charred bottom, porky filling. Possibly the best sheng jian bao I've ever had. I now order this on every trip here. I don't know why people don't rave about this dish more!!! But one order of sheng jian bao is not enough food, so I usually also order something else for a typical lunch. My second favorite dish here is the pork and crab soup dumplings (xiao long bao) everyone else is always raving about (#2. Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns 8 pcs). I think the one with crab is better than the pork-only one. I've also tried the steamed chives & pork dumplings (#6) once. The wrappers came out mushy and overcooked. The filling was fine, but they weren't amazing. I might try the dumplings again, probably pan fried next time. They do take credit cards, but there's a $20 minimum.
(5)Alexandra W.
The last time I had soup dumplings, I was probably about 8. But, I remember them being amazing. Maybe it was because I had them at Joe's Shanghai in NYC, but still, amazing. I got the pork and crabmeat soup dumplings for lunch today from Dim Sum Garden after hearing great things. I was sorely, sorely disappointed. The only crabmeat I spotted was a tiny bit on the top of the dumpling. I don't know if this is standard in soup dumplings, but it wasn't really...soup. The soup was more like the fat that rises to the top of soup. It was pretty viscous, and kind of gross. If this is how soup dumplings usually are, then we can just write this off as me not liking them. The steamed shrimp dumplings were okay. They were kind of mushy. I'll just stick with Ocean Harbor. Sorry.
(1)Jes S.
Things I Liked: - As close to Shanghai soup buns in Philadelphia as I've ever seen. Really really really really tasty. - Shanghai wontons are great! - The service is fantastic. The people are super sweet and attentive and just wonderful. ---- Things I Didn't Like So Much: - Not everything was so tasty. Sadly. And why it's no perfect five stars. The ... I don't know the English name, tofu and greens? A little too greasy, and the tofu wasn't as fresh. And the fried buns weren't all meat insides, but meat and lettuce, less authentic and less tasty.
(4)John C.
I had their xiao long bao(pork only) and scallion pancakes. I loved their scallion pancakes, very nice i must say. Their xiao long bao didn't come out that great though. For a few of them, the dough was undercooked and the dumplings themselves weren't that hot (which may explain the undercooked dough). If they did it right, I would have given it a 4. I actually prefer the dumplings from Sakura Mandarin, which is a few blocks down. The dumplings @ Sakura costs a little more than here, but the taste makes up for it.
(3)Mo P.
5 stars for hole in the wall Shanghai style soup dumplings The steamed soup dumplings are heaven in a steamed basket! The service was quite friendly. The siu mai was fresh and had great flavor and textures. The chive and pork dumplings were right on the money and pan fried to perfection. They also had a new menu item of pan fried soup dumpling with black sesame seeds on top. This was a party in your mouth. There are 3 sauces at the table which mixed together are sublime on all the dumplings. The vinegar is perfect on the soup dumplings. If you've never had soup dumplings remember to eat them while they're hot and put it on the soup spoon and add your favorite sauce on top. Eat it one bite and make sure you don't burn yourself. As for the roast duck over rice.... reminded me of eating in Hong Kong at night time with some greens on the side a little roast duck nicely seasoned with 5 spice powder on the bottom which gets into the white rice that the duck sits on. This place lacks atmosphere and may be considered a hole in the wall by some. I call it a hidden gem and can't wait to go back. The prices at this restaurant are very reasonable and it's BYOB.
(5)Jason T.
Mentally, my image of dim sum is a big dining hall with servers pushing around carts of small dishes from which you can choose whichever plates of food look appetizing. So entering Dim Sum Garden, I was almost unsure whether I had walked into the right restaurant. I took a seat with my friends, and we ordered an array of dishes, they being more knowledgeable about the nuances of dim sum, I simply sat back and waited for the dim sum nom noms to arrive :) The food took a few minutes to come out, so I could tell that it was freshly prepared. And I would be reminded that it came straight out of the steamer: I put an entire soup dumpling in my mouth and with the first bite immediately scalded my entire mouth! There was no cold water to temper the boiling liquid in my mouth, only hot tea. So after that experience, my taste buds were toast and I couldn't taste anything else in the meal. We asked for cold water, but the server didn't give us any. I did feel woozy afterwards, so I'm pretty sure I did ingest some MSG. The shu mai is a different style than what you may be used to - it's Shanghai shu mai, so it's filled with rice and larger than the small but juicy pork dumplings you may be used to.
(2)Chris J.
Just moved in around the corner - and will be here once a week - for sure! Friendly service and even great for takeout! Had the Steamed Pork Juice buns - amazingly good - almost life changing! Also had the spring roll and the scallion pancake - the pancake with a sweet sauce for dipping that was awesome. And just for good measure - tried an order of General Tso's - even that was good! I'm excited to get more steamed pork buns - as early as tomorrow!!!
(4)John R.
Dim Sum Garden is a good place everyone should try once. The place is called Dim Sum Garden so one may think you should come here and eat dim dum, but the place doesn't serve dim sum. Don't worry though there is something much better on the menu. At Dim Sum Garden, they serve Shanghainese soup dumpings, called xiao long bao. Its the first and second item on the menu. If you don't know what Shanghainese dumplings are, let me explain to you. These aren't your regular dumplings. Each dumping is a little pouch filled with meat but also this rich gelatinous soup. When the dumplings are made, an icecube of stock is also wrapped in there with the meat forming a soup dumpling when it is later steamed. When you eat these dumplings don't just pop them in your mouth. They are piping hot! And don't bite into it spilling the juices all over your shirt and plate. If you do, you just wasted the best part. Instead grab one out, put it on the spoon, bite off a little piece of the skin and slurp the soup out of the dumpling. A little vinegar soy sauce may be added to the dumpling too. Then consume the whole dumpling. Repeat 7 more times, since each basket comes with 8 dumplings. Go to Dim Sum Garden and order the Shanghainese dumplings. There are other items on the menu but I don't think I will ever get around to eating them, except for the scallion pancakes. To my knowledge this is the only place in philly you can get Shanghainese dumplings. If you are familiar with Joe's Shanghai in NYC, this philly equivalent is just as good. I think they're damn good eats and at 5 bucks a basket you can get a great snack anytime of the day.
(4)Jessica R.
My trip to Dim Sum Garden solved a big mystery in my life - soup dumplings! I've heard about them everywhere, but had no idea what they were - turns out I had been eating all them all my life, but know them by their Chinese name - xiao long bao. Just as other yelpers have said, the xiao long bao here are top notch. They're all handmade, and each dumpling is perfectly wrapped. My favorite were the pork and chive, but all of the 3 varieties we had were delicious. We also got scallion pancakes (fine, but not notable), an egg & tomato rice dish (a little too sweet) and a cold noodle dish (basic, but tasty). I would definitely recommend going during the daytime, as the location (under a bridge/in a tunnel type area) is definitely sketchy. Numerous buses also pick up right outside the restaurant so the sidewalk tends to be crowded with people and luggage. It's a random mix of patrons - some people who have definitely sought it out, and others who have wandered in because it's close to the bus stop. In summary, definitely worth the trip, but go with friends, not with a date. It's also super inexpensive - we ordered 6 dishes and paid $11 each! I love that they serve a lot of dim sum type dishes (hence the name, I'm guessing), but in bigger portions and with cheaper prices. The service was also great. =)
(4)Loni N.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now and I'm so glad I did. Don't be fooled by the outside appearance this place is the real deal for Dim Sum. I also got the scallion cakes which were heaven! The dim sum is amazing and the pork they use is fresh. You can watch the two ladies make everything from scratch in the open kitchen area. The food is good, flavorful, and very fresh. The service was good too. The dishes are large enough to share for two. I can't wait to go back. This place does take credit card but its a $20 minimum.
(5)Brad P.
This place is tasty, absurdly cheap, and unpretentious about what it is. Go into your little head space and classify this place as "fast food" before your first visit. This is essential towards appreciating the experience that is on its way. Dim Sum Garden's pork soup dumplings are tasty and fun to eat. It doesn't matter how hungry you are - wait at least a few minutes after they are on the table before you shovel these things into your mouth. They are delicious but difficult to appreciate when the pain sensors in your mouth go red alert because you've just burned everything from the gingival margin of your lower central incisor to your epiglottis. I know the decor isn't conducive to patience, but just trust me on this one. I'll also give a shout out to the pan fried chicken dumplings. Stick to the dumplings when you come to this restaurant. I found the chicken on a stick and beef brisket over rice to be a little disappointing.
(4)Eva J.
Quieter, more attentive service than the new one but...NO TURNIP CAKE!!! Blasphemy.
(4)Minh C.
"Dinghy" is how I would describe the exterior of Dim Sum Garden. Having walked by here quite a few times, I had always wondered how a place like this could operate and break even. However, a friend who had come here said the dim sum was good and recommended it. That was a shocker, so I definitely had to try it out myself. We arrived noon-ish on a windy Sunday. It was packed. The establishment itself is relatively small, and oddly enough, it appeared to be quite family friendly. First, the food. We had the Shanghai Siu Mai, Fried Soup Pork Buns, and Crabmeat + Pork Buns. The Shanghai Siu Mai looked a little bit weird and tasted a little bit weird as it was mostly rice. The Crabmeat + Pork Buns were yummy. Despite being Asian, I've never had "Shanghai" style - where they're filled with broth and you make a small hole in the "bun," suck out the broth, then eat the rest. I learned something new! The same went for the Fried Soup Pork Buns as the name suggests. Overall, food was good, but I would say it's comparable to other good dim sum places in Philly. We actually didn't find this place that cheap relative to other dim sum joints. For those three dishes, it was about $20 bucks with tip - that's quite steep for a dim sum dive. Maybe it's priced higher because service is so great here? No. Our waiter was inpatient and walked by and dropped off our plates without even looking at us or telling us what dish he landed on our table.
(3)Jon Z.
Consistently good cheap Chinese food hidden next to a former shady Chinatown bus depot The xiao lon bao is what most diners come here for but the rest of the menu is delicious and affordable. Get the scallion pancakes and some of the noodle dishes. You will spent about $10-15 per person and leave extremely full and happy! The decor could be improved but you can't expect everything. Also the service can be kind of blank and to the point but this is typical of many Chinatown restaurants.
(4)Linda N.
As other Yelpers have mentioned, this place does not offer a wide range of dim sum as its name "Dim Sum Garden" implies, but it surely didn't disappoint. What we ordered: - Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Crabmeat & Pork Juicy Buns), $5.75 - Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings), $5.75 - (Fried) Turnip Cake, $5ish - Shanghai Siu Mai, $5.75 - Chili Cabbage Shredded Pork Soup, $1.50 - Shanghai Wonton Noodle*, $5.75 - Zha Jiang Mian (Minced Pork Noodle), $5.75 Xiao long bao was good, as was the zha jiang mian. The xiao long bao's juice was absolutely delicious and zha jiang mian is my new favorite by far! Har gow, fried turnip cake, and chili cabbage shredded pork soup didn't live up to my expectations, however. Har gow was a bit fishy (probably an off-day), turnip cake had a fried pastry casing (which we didn't mind, but it was different from what we had before), and chili cabbage shredded pork soup was actually preserved vegetable shredded pork soup (which is fine, but I was expecting literally spicy cabbage because of the "chili" in the name). The Shanghai siu mai was a complete surprise because of the sticky rice filling. It wasn't bad, by any means, but we thought we ordered the normal shrimp & pork siu mai. *Cousin had the Shanghai wonton noodle, which didn't look that appetizing to me, but consisted of the same handmade noodles in the zha jiang mian. On another note, the dumpling sauce combined with the chili oil here is phenomenal. I love a good dumping sauce. Just be careful of the stickiness around the bottle from previous uses. With that said, I'll be back soon for the xiao long bao and zha jiang mian. Getting hungry just thinking about it!
(4)Steve S.
Gotta hand it to the Yelp app for taking me to a place I never would have looked at twice based on the outside. Boy, this place seems to be legendary. After tasting the food, I can see why. Now, let's just get the issues out there that keeps me from giving this 5 stars. No, it's not much to look at. No, it's not the best location in the Chinatown area. No, the service isn't 5 star. In fact, as I look back, I found something a bit odd. So I order up some wonton soup, and the famous steamed soup dumplings. I got the wonton soup first and loved it. About 10 minutes later, the server comes to me and says that they ran out of steamed soup dumplings, but she had a plate of fried dumplings in her hand and asked if would I like those instead. I took them. But as I look back... I have a sneaky suspicion that they accidentally made mine fried, and tried to talk me into them. I'll say this... the fried dumplings have the same juiciness to them, and just a wonderful flavor. I do suspect that the frying makes the skin tougher which, in turn, makes the dumplings squirt more when you try to bite into them. Let's just say that my shirt took a bath even with the spoon, and I'm so glad that no one was sitting to my right. Food wise... most definitely 5 star for the dumpling taste alone. I gotta get back for the real deal soon.
(4)Jenny L.
I've been trying to find a place for shanghai soup buns, because the best ones I've had so far were in NY's Chinatown, Shanghai Cafe has some pretty good soup buns. Well, I've finally found the place! Dim Sum Garden isn't in the best location ever and the interior decoration might as well look like a regular cafe in HK/China (which does give you that feel of being in a cafe in another country). But they've got pretty good soup buns! We just tried some small plates and an order of broccoli and chicken which isn't exactly what you would think it'd to be. They marinate their chicken with star anise and other flavors. So don't think white chicken breast because it's not. Got an order of the regular pork soup buns, an order of the crab meat and scallion pancakes. The pork ones were better and the scallion pancakes were a bit on the salty side. Other than that, this place is fulfilling and cheap. A hole in the city, but quite a popular place. I would definitely come back for the soup buns since I now know a location that makes them fresh!
(4)Sandro C.
Noodles and dumplings are made on premises. All fresh, authentic and highly tasty.
(5)Liz B.
I originally wrote a 5 star review back in 11/2011, but I have officially removed it. I will admit that I used to love this place because their pork juicy buns are delicious,however the service that I have received the past two visits was horrible. Service here was never great to begin with, but it was tolerable until my last two visits. Tonight I went with a group of friends and we had to ask for water more than three times before getting any. One person at my table was told to go get her own drink - in a very rude tone. Our plates were dropped onto the table. On week days when there is less of a crowd, I have had better service, but still. This is unacceptable - I don't care how busy you are - it's no excuse for treating your reoccurring customers like trash. I will never recommend nor step into this place again no matter how much I crave their juicy buns.
(1)MC M.
You could walk right past Dim Sum Garden. It's small, located under a creepy overpass kind of thing, filled with cheap plastic tables and chairs. You could walk right past it and never know ecstasy. Dim Sum Garden is the best, affordable dim sum in Philly. I SAID IT. D and I strolled in, starving, and were promptly attended by our very sweet, very thorough waitress. It took us a few moments, but we ordered the juicy pork buns ("soup dumplings"), the bok choy, the shrimp noodles and the scallion pancake. On the waitress's recommendation, we also bought the seasonal mooncake. The mooncake is KILLER. It comes in this really succulent flaky dough. The meat is ground very fine and is hard to describe -- it has a distinctly earthy flavor while remaining really juicy. The juicy buns (about 5$ for eight) are fucking phenomenal, the end. Great flavor, great amount of liquid, beautiful little dumpling shells. I personally enjoy the bok choy (maybe 4$ish?) and their ocean of oil. The scallion pancake is GREAT (2.50$, to fuel your addiction), put some dumpling sauce and nom away. I was less impressed with the shrimp noodles (5$ something): the noodles were fresh and chewy, but I think the dish needs a more robust meat (duck, pork, beef) to really come together. We got all of that for a grand total of 24$. We were stuffed. We rolled out, singing Dim Sum Garden's praises. So, go get it, Philly.
(5)Steve E.
Get the soup dumplings! Pretty delicious. When you are done getting soy sauce and soup all over the front of your face and shirt/blouse, dive right into the scallion pancakes. Both of these dishes are the best things this restaurant offers. Definitely go there for those two things
(4)Cher B.
I've had shanghai dumplings at Joe's in NY and Chinese restaurants in Sf...this one in Philly was MOST DELICIOUS. The dumplings were bigger and meatier and hit the spot. I'm almost ashamed to say that I enjoyed this meal better than the 2 cheesesteak shops I visited, which were the main reasons I came to Philly. We also ordered the fried dumplings, which were also DELICIOUS. We came in for a mid day snack and these two items were exactly what we needed. Also, the service here was awesome. Food came out fast and everyone who worked there was SO NICE. (I'm not used to this--in SF Chinese restaurants, 98% of service is pretty terrible). Excellent food & service- if I were in Philly again, I might skip the cheesesteak and get some dumplings. Never thought I would ever say that.
(5)Connie F.
The crab meat shao long ton ( soup dumpling) bao was delicous!!
(4)Emily W.
Location and bright fluorescent lights aside, this place is worth a visit. It's now my go-to for steamed vegetable buns AND steamed vegetable dumplings. Not only do they not skimp on the fillings and have tons of veggies, they are super flavorful and fresh tasting. We got a lot of food for our table of four and my favorites (other than the veggie stuff) were the pan fried pork dumplings and the pork dumpling and noodle soup. The pork wasn't too greasy and it was moist and gingery. I wasn't a huge fan of the pickled cabbage and pork noodles- a little stinky and funky tasting- but the other people (Asians) in my party liked them. I also liked that they had sauteed Chinese broccoli, but unfortunately, it was probably the greasiest item we got. They have a slim dessert selection so I recommend going to one of the Chinatown bakeries to satisfy your sweet tooth. The service was super-quick and friendly. And the price- cheap. They're a great alternative if you find yourself waiting in too long of a line for dim sum in the Chinatown area.
(4)Robert P.
Don't eat here it's not the original. They moved around the corner. You couldn't pay me money to eat here again. The real Originals should sue
(1)Matt E.
Hands down the best place to go for dim sum in the city (don't confuse this one with the one on Race Street). Definitely order the soup dumplings when you go here....they are made perfectly and do not break apart when you pick them up. I also recommend their duck noodles and bok choy. The service here is extremely friendly and you cannot beat the prices. All in all one of the best meals you can get in Philly.
(5)Alyssa R.
My mom and I went late in the evening and was expecting food to be somewhat "old" and just reheated but we were WRONG! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with a smile and a menu. I told the owner(?) that I wanted food to go and he smiled and said that's fine (small language barrier but not bad). The food, we just got chicken and friend rice to be on the safe side but now I wish we got more food!!! Clean restaurant, clean kitchen and food tastes and is freshly made. Wonderful service and great tasting food. Definitely a hidden gem!
(5)Alex L.
Dim Sum Garden is definitely a hidden gem. The Good: Not your typical dim sum! The food tastes incredibly fresh and most items are handmade in the kitchen, not shipped in frozen bulk packs from dumpling sweatshops in Mexico or whatever. Try the Xiao Long Bao and other dim sum dishes, you'll taste the difference. DSG's service is exceptional as well -- the servers are attentive and staff members are friendly and accommodating! (They only speak Chinese.) If you're looking for the authentic Chinese experience, look no further. The Bad: They don't have the cute little carts. Boo. Apparently they are unrelated to the new Dim Sum Garden which just opened on 10th and Race? Regardless, completely worth going!
(4)Nick C.
I am so happy to see this place reviewed well! I have eaten the Soup Dumplings on so many occasions, but recently sat down for the full monty. I LOVE THIS PLACE EVEN MORE! Super friendly atmosphere, food comes out as it is cooked, incredibly reasonably priced, and absolutely delicious. Five Stars.
(5)Pingyi L.
Don't let the location fools you. How can anything good located right by the bus station. But Dim Sum garden is super authentic! The soup dumplings were juicy and well seasoned. Don't forget to also try the beef noodles. The noodles were freshly home made with perfect texture. The beef noodles were tasty and reminded me of home!
(5)Caliope S.
Delicious fried pork rice. Didn't try enough varieties of dim sum to rate that. Place looks bare bones, but service was quick and friendly, and prices seemed fair. I would return if I found myself in the area again on business.
(3)Dan C.
DSG, I love you. I always thought that you were some sort of shady hotel for weary Chinatown bus travelers supported by neon columns of light. Part fantasy world and part depressing-looking food. But holy cow, you are so delicious that I want to hug you forever. Why didn't you tell me earlier how delicious you are? That your pork buns are full of delicious juice? That I almost said, "screw it" to the fishballs because your broth was so good? I am coming back for more scallion pancakes, fried to a crisp. I will be in the loving slushy embrace of your fruit smoothie with tapioca. Just you wait, my credit card will always hit that $15 minimum, but I know that if I were feeling cheap, I could pay you in cash and walk away a fuller and not-so-much-poorer man.
(5)Sun Y.
Really disappointing. The xiao lung bao and fried xiao lung bao were good, but everything else was not very good. The scallion pancakes were ok. Probably would not go back, didn't like the atmosphere.
(3)Derek G.
While in Philly for a few days during the storm, I ate here 4 times. Not just cause it was one of the only places open, but because the food is that damn good. Those soup dumplings are the business! Don't sleep on the beef brisket with noodles either. Some of the best Chinese food I've had.
(5)Rachel H.
I'd totally go back! Overall, for the price and the portions, it was great - nice hole in the wall. If you're looking for carts and dumpling pushers, you've got the wrong place - if you're looking for soup dumplings and good food, you've got the right place! The soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are hot and soothing - a little sip of soup inside a tasty dumpling - we got the the pork and it was great. We also had buns, cabbage dumplings, and a soup each. It was just over $20, which was a more spendy lunch for us but it was a great choice. I'm jonsing to go back!
(5)Connie S.
No-frills dumpling joint located in the sketchy Chinatown bus pick-up area. Most people pass this place and dismiss it upon first glance, but if you love pork buns/dumplings there is no better place in Philly to find them. Dim Sum Garden is all about the pork. Other meats need not apply. And that's fine with me - I'd happily eat their Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings, aka Shanghai dumplings) and Sheng Jian Bao ("pan fried juicy pork buns," as the neon paper specials sign dubs them) every day for the rest of my life. Sure, they have alternatives, veggie and chicken dumplings, etc., but you'll only get that rich soup filling with pork. The noodle bowls are substantial in size, but nothing to write home about for the soup content or quality of noodles (although I do think the wontons are made in-house, and those are tasty). The menu has respectable non-meat options, but nothing that will have vegetarians clamoring to come back. Super cheap, quick, and yummy. Just one word of caution: watch out that you don't try to eat too quickly - the food is piping hot, and overeagerness may lead to a burnt tongue.
(4)C K.
Looks super shady and like you might get food poisoning from eating there, but their food is delicious, and to date, I've been there probably 7 times and never had any problems (or had anyone that I've been with have any problems). The standout items there are the steamed juicy buns (very authentic) and the pan fried juicy buns (pockets of deliciousness).
(4)Michael M.
I've been reading about this place for a while and finally got to try Dim Sum Garden. Looking forward to the famed soup dumplings, I was sorely disappointed. They were pretty much like all of the other dumplings in Chinatown. The rest of the meal was okay, if a little salty. If you're really looking for phenomenal soup dumplings, check out Yang Yang Express in Upper Darby.
(2)Diana K.
Agree with the other reviewers-- this isn't really a dimsum place. While they do have some dimsum offerings on their menu, their specialty seems to be the soup dumplings... yum!
(3)Mary K.
Yum I had the pork and chives steam dumplings. I wish I was more hungry/had more company, but it was only me on my adventure in Philly and this definitely hit the spot for some steamed dumplings. Will definitely stop by next time
(4)Irene M.
Very disappointed with this restaurant :-( The Yelp rating is 4 star! The noodles with soup, shrimp dumpling and soup dumpling are not that great. The egg roll is okay. The only thing that was great was the service. Sorry... but we'll go back to the restaurant along Race Street next time we visit Philly Chinatown again.
(1)Lils N.
The ladies that run this restaurant are awesome and have to deal with a lot of crap since its in the center of Chinatown right next to the bus stop. I've ordered take out so many times that now they ask how I'm doing and where I've been. I always get the Xiao Long Bao (Pork Soup Dumplings) and the Shen Jian Bao (pan fried pork buns). They are my FAVORITE Shanghai dishes and Dim Sum Garden does a pretty good job providing me with the authentic taste. What makes a good Pork Soup Dumplings is that the buns need to have tasty broth and thin skin. Considering how fast the service is, I'm pretty satisfied. If you want a twist, you can get the crab and Pork Soup dumplings, but its not as good as the original Pork Soup Dumplings. I give 5 stars b/c the owners/waitresses are super sweet and provide amazing service, the prices are pretty fair, and they open pretty late when I have my Chinese food cravings.
(5)Paul L.
Being a lover of Shanghainese food, I was dismayed for the longest time that there's no good Shanghainese restaurant in the city of Philadelphia, but that all changed 3 years ago when my friend brought me to this hole-in-the-wall in the dirty tunnel below the Hilton Hotel. Sure, I was skeptic at first. If the Chinatown bus wasn't located right next door, I would avoid walking down this path, especially at night, even being a tall burly man that I am. And the restaurant looks like any cheap American Chinese food take out place, there's no interior decor to speak of, the tables seems to be burnt by cigarettes at one point or another and who wants to seat inside and smell the fumes and cigarette smokes of passer-bys? All that aside, the food is pretty phenomenal. Unlike all the other Chinatown establishments that are still trying to perfect their soup dumplings (aka Xiao Long Bao), this place already have it all figured out. The wrappers are not too thin that it'll tear apart easily nor too thick that you get a whole mouth of dough, inside there's a fatty and meaty broth, I'm partial of the crab meat and pork one that gives it a milky taste but the pork one is also good by itself. A tiny sprinkle of red vinegar and you're in soup dumpling heaven and you don't need to jump on one of those New York buses parked right next door to get this experience. The scallion pancakes here are lovely, Jose Garces' Chifa can come and take a page on how to make good scallion pancakes. Crispy, flaky, fragrant with scallions, again with a dash of vinegar to make the acid dance with the oiliness makes a tiny mouth of heaven. The Siu Mai here is not your normal kind that are stuffed with pork and shrimp, this kind is stuffed with sticky rice. I have to say I was a tiny bit disappointed since this place is advertised as Dim Sum Garden and I was hoping they would have more dim sum that I see regularly but I actually do like their Siu Mai as well. I have always been a fan of anything sticky rice, if they had named it Sticky Rice Siu Mai, I would have been a lot more content, but they tasted good. There are cold appetizers like 5-spice beef or the bowl of duck tongues that can be good if you're in the mood for it. They also have hand shaved noodle soup or rice vermicelli soup that works for the hungrier ones. Try the pork and pickled vegetable rice vermicelli that is a favorite for a lot of people. But if you're not famished, stick with trying more dim sum type dishes. Next time I'm going back I will have to try the turnip cake and my oh so favorite red bean pancake.
(4)Teresa L.
Let's get this off my chest: This is not dim sum. This is normal, portioned food. So don't "dim sum" ME, unless you got your fried taro or radish cakes, shrimped wrapped in rice noodles, and saumai THAT HAS MEAT IN IT. Otherwise, this is a good place. The Shanghai saumai was like WHOA to my taste buds (sticky rice inside?!) and the green onion pancake was delectable. I totally got the Shanghai wonton noodle soup high. Perfectly seasoned (i.e. salted just enough that the wonton flavor still dominates). Let's see, oh yes and the Xiao Long Bao was DRIPPING in its juices. And adding juiciness to juiciness was our pork/chive dumplings. Cute little things didn't disappoint. The condiments they put out (ginger-soy sauce, and this other sweet vinegar) were lovely. Mm! See? I'm only mad about the name, but my tummy says everything's going to be alllllll right.
(4)Sandy T.
I love this place, I've been to DSG on three separate occasions and it's always been good, every single visit. The pork and crab steamed dumplings were to die for, I get that every time I go there, steaming hot flavored broth, doughy covering, succulent meat filling, nothing better :) The scallion pancakes were good too, better than any I've had before around Chinatown, crunchy, doughy, and didn't taste like it came from the freezer. The decor's pretty, casual, spacious, and homely and the staff is nice.
(5)Frank S.
it's ok. But not so good. Just fine.
(3)Clarissa G.
I live in NY but I travel I95 a lot. Every time I travel through PA I make a point to get off the highway in Philly & go to Dim Sum Garden. I always get 2 orders of the juicy pork buns because one order is never enough. They are slap your mama, finger licking, bite the tips off good. Juicy buns are the only thing I've ever order from Dim Sum so I can't really speak in the rest of the menu. The service for me has always been fast & friendly. It is so worth try, plus it's a cheap eat.
(5)Nhu P.
My review is strictly for the xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Their soup dumplings are BY FAR, the BEST I have ever had! Better than Joe's Shanghai. Perfect amount of skin, not too thick and not too thin that they break. The broth inside is AMAZING, its rich and flavorful and needs no additional sauce but I still put some of their dumpling sauce in it because its great there! Pork or crab stuffing, both great! Quick, tasty, and cheap! I travel all the way from MD to have these when I get the craving so you know its good! As far as the dim sum goes, if you are expecting standard cart style dim sum, then you might want to go elsewhere first, then come here for the soup dumplings. Their dim sum is shanghai style and if you're into that then hey, by all means, enjoy! I'm just not a huge fan of shanghai style dim sum so I don't base my opinion on the restaurant from that. Their rice dishes are good and filling though. Honestly, try their xiao long bao and then decide if you really think that Joe's shanghai is THAT great...
(5)Thomas A.
I absolutely love this place. Yes, the decor is bare bones, and the location leaves quite a bit to be desired, but if you ever hoped that a restaurant would put aside its efforts in 'atmosphere' and overhead and just concentrate on the food, than this is it. I've been here about a dozen times, and I always start with the Shanghai dumplings. I'm a former chef, and still haven't the foggiest as to how they get the soup into these tiny dumplings. Pieces of heaven though. Their noodles are all hand made and perfect; I brought my brother here who's been to mainland china several times, and even he agrees the noodles are exquisite. Perhaps I have the advantage of being treated as a frequent customer, but their service is great. The same girl at the counter always greets me with a smile, and knows me well enough to not even give me a menu - she just gets me my dumplings and whatever is fresh that day. You can have a 5 dish dinner here and barely spend more than $20. For the quality of the food, this is a steal. Having said all of this, let me add that they use MSG rather unapologetically. I'm alright with that; I don't encounter MSG in many other places, so I allow myself this occasional diversion from my eating norms. Try it, you won't regret it.
(5)Nancy W.
Dim Sum Garden was a welcome surprise. We were looking for a quick bite to eat before the Philadelphia Flower Show and found out about Dim Sum Garden here at Yelp. The pork and chive dumplings were the best I've ever had, soup dumplings were great, beef noodle soup was so-so, scallion pancakes good but a little bland. This is definitly a take-out, dive atompshere, but they had table service and the whole experience was a satisfying adventure.
(4)C K.
went here for lunch, got like 4 dishes. first was the wine chicken... which was interesting because usually they do not drench it with wine... but it wasn't bad, nothing spectacular though. 2nd dish was the sui mai.. which was kind of bland 3rd dish was the #1... shanghai steamed buns? this is prob the best thing about this place. It is alot better compared to other dim sum places in china town. 4th was minced beef with rice.. which wasn't really what I was expecting.. it was not that goood. if you want shanghai steamed buns however.. come to this place
(3)susan o.
i've left philly for western shores and boy do i miss the food. really. if i lived in sf, i might be okay but i live in the redwoods 2 hours north and the only "asian" restaurant in my town serves "sushi and burgers" . emmmmm i thinks i shall pass. so, that being said, my return trip to philly shall be based on the 3 f's - food, family, and friends (and goddamnit yes! in that order!) high on my list will be dim sum garden. ahhh i want a soup dumpling NOW! i want hand pulled noodles NOW! i want scallion pancakes sooo NOW! gimme triple steamed dumplings or i might cry! i'd like to think its a hidden gem but who would we be kidding... craig laban gives it bells up and the last time i was there in the summer, iron chef jose garces was having a business meeting with his chef buddies over dumplings. turns out he's a fan too. plus 100+ positive yelp reviews? as everyone has said, do not be fooled by linoleum and neon. do not question yourself with sanitary concerns (hell... its an open kitchen... that makes it 1000000x cleaner than just about anywhere else in c-town). just be freakin stoked that you can eat beyond contentment with leftovers for $15 (tip generously people!!! those girls are super sweet). and goddamnit stop taking away points cause this isnt "traditional" dimsum. for chrissakes, sorry you cant have rolling carts with dumplings and sticky rice in banana leaves. INSTEAD, you can dumplings that are cooked when you order them, scallion pancakes that have the best crisp ever, and your option of dry or soupy noodles. word of warning for the cilantro haters... YEAH they garnish their soups with a touch of cilantro. thankfully nothing like pho spots, but we quick to grab that sucker outta there before real soup contamination can happen. even with that in mind, i give it enthusiastically 5 stars.
(5)Kristine F.
Spent an afternoon going from restaurant to restaurant in attempts to find some kind of replacement for Lakeside (RIP). You can almost miss this place, it's tucked away under a parking garage on a dark side street. The scallion pancake was good, the soup dumplings were great, they have some very nice sauces on the table that are also tasty. I would definitely suggest that if you are looking for Shanghai Dumplings (soup dumplings) that you stop in and try this place. We had good service and the prices were very reasonable.
(4)Sharon W.
Sometimes, I can't believe that this place is in Philadelphia. I've been to places in San Francisco and New York, and I truly believe that the taste of the Xiao Long Baos here are comparable if not better. The soup noodles and the onion pancakes here are not bad either. The area seems a little sketchy on the outside but once inside you'll find a clean eatery.
(4)Christopher D.
Beneath the tunnel and amidst the fumes from the Chinatown buses, lies a gem in Chinatown. Dim Sum Garden, a non-descript little out post under a neon sign continues to put out some great food. They make the so called juicy buns, or xiao long bao as well as anyone in the area. You bite into the pillows of goodness and you get an explosion of pork broth along with great filling. The other offerings, soups, dumplings and standard chinese entree are ok, but go for the juicy buns. Cannot wait for them to emerge in their new location from underneath the tunnel to the sunshine in Chinatown.
(4)Larry J.
These people know what they are doing when it comes to the Pork Dumpling Soup, Pan Fried Pork Dumplings and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. Staff, including owner are friendly, nice, kind and willing to do whatever it takes to serve and please your palate. I have been to many places in the USA for Asian Food and I think that this is one of the best when it comes to freshness and quality. Prices are very reasonable and you should be very happy with speed of service!
(5)Sam Z.
A nondescript, Chinese home-style looking establishment, tucked in the throws of a tunnel along N 11th street. It's the type of place that most passersby would just well, pass by. But for those willing to stop, you are in for a treat. Walking in from the cold, I warmed up body and taste buds with a dumpling noodle soup. The broth was on the weak side, lacking flavor, but the dumplings were tasty and plentiful and the bok choy crisp and fresh tasting. The real foodie fun however would begin with their signature, Xiao Long Bo (soup dumplings). Served steaming hot, in lots of 8, I eagerly dug into these pale colored puffs. While this was not my first Xiao Long Bo (XLB), it quickly became apparent that I had not attained veteran status just yet. Stuffing the first few (delicious) dumplings into my mouth whole, the waitress quickly spotted my transgression, and rushed to my rescue with a lesson in the art of Xiao Long Bo consumption. How amazing is that? First, place the dumpling in your spoon. Second, bite off the top of the dumpling and sip the soup slowly (yum). Third, eat deflated dumpling and enjoy. With technique mastered, I was now equipped to enjoy them to their maximum potential. That potential was awesome. Not only were the XLB top notch, so to (to my surprise) was the service; not exactly what you'd expect at a hole in the wall on the fringes of Chinatown. Extra napkins, dipping sauce, hot & cold beverage refills, and a masters degree in dumpling consumption, brought my way, without even having to ask. This place is can't miss on your next visit to Phila Chinatown. -SZ
(4)Tyler R.
If you want Shanghai broth (juice) buns (aka Xiao Long Bao), come here. Eat as many as you can. Dim Sum Garden is easily one of the least pretentious places in the city. Since it's house in a store front that's in a tunneled section between Filbert and Arch St., you could miss it without any problem. DSG is a testament to what great food does for your business. In addition to the XLB try the duck gizzard, duck tongue, soups, and dumplings. Okay, duck tongue and gizzard are definitely not for everyone, and they give you plenty, but DSG is that good that you'll eat duck tongue and gizzard happily. My favorite feature of the restaurant is that you can look over the counter and watch the chefs making each bun and dumpling by hand. It's an unbelievable skills that yields serious deliciousness.
(4)Peter L.
By far one of the best chicken on a stick I have eaten in my life. Their shanghai dumplings are also amazing. Of course it is not as good as Joe's shanghai in NY, but if you do not want to take that 2 hour drive and stay in philly, this is def the place to be. On to of that, its CHEAP!! Good food reasonable price, can't beat that!!!
(4)Aaron C.
WARNING: DO NOT GO. TRY ANOTHER PLACE. BAD SERVICE, AWFUL FOOD(POSSIBLY RAW). Came here another time. Asked for steamed pork buns, steamed crabmeat and pork buns, shrimp dumplings and marinated pork. In general, food sucks this time, as well as the service. I will never set foot in this crappy place again. Try to buy some frozen shrimp dumplings and steam them yourself, it'll still beat the hell of the ones in this place. I bet even if you grab some raw shrimp and wrap them in some cookie dough, and eat it directly, it still beats the ones here. As for the pork buns, well, it tasted a bit raw, and the center of the stuffing inside was still red like the center of a medium rare steak. I'm personally okay with undercooked meat, but this is pork, and it is not supposed to be raw in the bun! I had it anyway since I was starving. Now I regret I did since I'm feeling food poisoning now. The service sucked as well. I should have expected this yet once again they surprised me. It took about long enough waiting to be served, and then another 15mins waiting for the buns. The server only brought the crabmeat buns but not the pork buns in the beginning. After we've finished everything else, the pork buns was not ready. I asked the server and was told "right away". After 10 mins or so, it was finally brought to me. I can only assume they forgot the order at first. Finished dinner I asked for the check. Handwritten, of course. They wrote the prices for the four dishes, and a total. It appears the total is not the sum of the four dishes, so I thought I should ask. Then the b**ch at the counter just freaked out saying "the calculation is right". She showed me how it was done. Basically it was right: the total was after tax. Only if she put the tax on the receipt I would have known that, and every other restaurant I've been to will do so. And then she was like "this is America, of course it includes tax" with a condescending tone. WTF? I've been here for years and I suddenly don't know I'm in America now? I thought okay, whatever. I'm not going to argue, I'll just pay then, but she then said "I'll put the 15% tip in as well." And then she put in an amount and was about to swipe my card. HEY! I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU 15% EVEN FOR THE AWFUL FOOD AND SERVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT JUST CHARGE ME THAT WITHOUT MY CONSENT! So I told her hell no, I'm not giving you 15% tip. Eventually I just wrote a big zero on the tip and gave them what they charged for food only - not that they earned it. And then the b**ch murmured something to other people like "they are poor". LOL. I can give 20% tip if I like the service and the food. But for this? And she even wants to charge me directly with food? I would have given negative tips if I could. If you have reached here. I appreciate your patience. Take my advice: don't go to this place. B**ch and awful food ALERT.
(1)Melanie B.
take it from someone who has grown up eating dim sum pretty frequently with family... this is the worst, dirtiest dim sum I have ever had. there were obvious shrimp shells in my dumplings. everything was greasy. there is no ambiance and everything is served on plastic plates. no carts of food. the service is slow and unfriendly. hipsters flock here. do yourself a favor and pass on this one. go to 11th and race at lunch time and grab some dim sum from joy tsin loa. you won't regret it.
(1)Erin D.
This is your typical Chinese restaurant in terms of decor. It's functional and plain. There are tables and chairs; that's all you need. The table and chopsticks are clean; that's all you need. This was my first time having Shanghai-style dim sum, since Houston mainly has Hong Kong-style dim sum. I ordered the juicy buns, and they were DELICIOUS. The waitress sensed I was out of my element, so she nicely explained how to eat them (as explained in other reviews). The soup broth inside was phenomenal. I also ordered the siu mai, which is very different than what I am used to, but still tasty. The wonton wrapper on the siu mai could be less pasty or doughy if possible. The siu mai though is absolutely huge compared to the Hong Kong style. My eight juicy buns, four pieces of siu mai, and two bottles of water were $11, an absolutely wonderful price, although credit cards require a minimum of $15. The service was very good too, unlike your typical Chinese restaurant. This is also convenient for those staying at the Hilton Garden Inn across the street. I will definitely come again!
(4)Jessie L.
While the soup dumplings are definitely worth getting, this place doesn't have a lot of the dim sum dishes I was looking for. I would skip on the shrimp dumplings, which were oversteamed, and also skip on the very ordinary scallion pancakes. This place also has a $20 minimum for credit cards do bring cash or plan to get 4 dishes. I thought the waitstaff was fine however I did hear them say quite a few nasty things about customers in mandarin.
(3)Ashleigh M.
Yes - this place is situated in a shady location, just footsteps from the Chinatown bus station.... Yes - this place doesn't LOOK the cleanest.... Yes, the waitstaff provides minimal service... HOWEVER, the food is DELICIOUS and the one time I used the bathroom it was shockingly clean. Although you should never judge a book by its cover, you should ALWAYS judge a restaurant by the cleanliness of it's bathroom ;) Seriously though, this place is my goto.... The steamed pork juicy buns are divine - if you don't know how to eat them, make sure to ask! It's basically a soup filled dumpling and you are supposed to slurp the soup out of the dumpling before you eat it - mmmmmm! The chicken on a stick is exactly as you guessed, chicken meat grilled on a stick, great if you need that extra boost of protein in your meal. The scallion pancakes are amazing as well, I smother them in the hot oil and gyoza sauce on the table. Additional favorites include - shanghai shumai, pork noodle in sauce (sounds weird, tastes great!), cucumbers (oh so refreshing - I ask for them spicy), and any of the noodle soups. Also the smoothies (I have been meaning to ask for no added sugar since they taste so delicious they must have SOMETHING added!) and the iced bubble tea are key. I'm sure I'll be seeing ya sooner rather than later Dim Sum Garden!!!
(5)Christine L.
Think of Dim Sum Garden as street food with a ceiling, and your expectations will be right on par with what you get. Great introduction to Shanghainese Dim Sum- you'll find that some of your favorites (turnip cakes, shao mai) are completely different than the regular dim sum you may have been looking for. Both steamed and fried versions of dumplings and buns are delicious. Don't choose one or the other. Order both, and while you wait for your order, admire the strangely labeled sauces on the table. And don't forget the Xiaolongbao! Definitely don't miss out on that. The server said the noodles are made in-house, and they definitely have that handmade, chewy texture. Recommend the pork with sauce noodle (I think that's the right name). Fast service (when there are two servers). Go with a group so you can eat a ton of different dishes.
(4)Perpetual K.
Located in the ghetto version of the bat cave - I hit up this place often for lunch when I journey to Chinatown and usually walk away satisfied. I always get the soup dumplings and try a different dish each time I visit. Sometimes the soup dumplings are great and filled with broth and sometimes they are so-so with several empty broth-less dumplings. More often than not though the soup dumplings are pretty decent. They used to offer different sauces to eat with the dumplings but as of recently those have disappeared (disappointingly). Other dishes on the menu include various meats-over-rice and handmade noodle dishes (with or without soup). I would stay away from the meat-over-rice dishes - it's nothing special. The handmade noodles are good and will warm you up nicely on a cold Philly day. I would say the soup dumplings and the handmade noodle dishes are the specialty of this joint. Prices are good (not the cheapest in C-Town but still better than most of Philly). Service can be spotty (especially when it's busy). Best for people who don't mind eating inside of a tunnel.
(3)Yoko S.
this is my favorite dim sum place in PA. crab suop dumpling is really juicy and taste good!! it is very closed to grey hound bus staion so before take bus or whe get off bus, i do take out, also bubble tea are very good. i like honeydew bubble tea,
(5)Kim V.
Soup dumplings are a tad bit too doughy. Giving three stars because it could be better
(3)Angie C.
I loved their soup dumplings and scallion pancake! The fact that their dumpling dipping sauce is amazing is a major plus!
(5)Saman S.
Pretty good, you'll get a decent meal for a good price.
(3)Dean D.
I've been to Dim Sum restaurants in San Francisco and NY's Chinatown and have to say thanks to my fellow Yelper "Veronica X" for turning me on to this place. The food is excellent and I did try the Xioa Long Bao and really enjoyed these little soup dumplings. The server had to do some hands on training otherwise we'd be wearing much of it but they were very tasty! The Chinese broccoli was excellent. I believe they prepare it in a garlic miso sauce. Also recommend the scallion pancakes. I'll be back!
(4)Karen C.
As delicious as I remember! Xiao lung bao are juicy and scrumptious. Best scallion pancakes that I have had in a while!
(5)Steven W.
has the feel of an expanded take-out restaurant. Although they don't offer the full variety of dim sum that is available at traditional large restaurants, they do have a good variety. Their steamed pork juicy buns are made fresh and are perfectly cooked. Scallion pancake is crisp and not doughy at all. Food is also very cheap!
(4)Nadine K.
In the dead of winter, I wanted soup dumplings, and yelp led me to them, at Dim Sum Garden. It is to yelp I return to sing their praises. A soup dumpling is exactly what it sounds like: it's a fresh dumpling with soup and a nugget of dumpling filling, usually pork or seafood or some combo of the two, inside. It's dumpling soup turned inside out. On a blustery, cold day, it is heaven. Go to Dim Sum Garden - as far as I know they make the only soup dumplings in Philadelphia. Ignore the total lack of atmosphere and the dingy floors. Pay no attention to the eau de bus emanating from the idling Chinatown bus just outside. Order the #2 Steamed Buns w/ Pork & Crab Meat ($5.75). There will be a longish pause, and then a tray of eight soup dumplings will appear. Have both chopsticks and spoon at the ready. Use the chopsticks to gently, carefully lift a dumpling. The hot dough will stick to the dumpling beside it; the chopstick points will threaten to tear the thin membrane. Do not let this happen. Settle the intact dumpling on the spoon. Delicately nip off the top of the dumpling and at the same time slurp out some soup. It is hot and very rich. There is a covered blue and white cup on the table labelled vinegar. Drip a little of this dark vinegar into the dumpling. Its acid will cut and complement the rich broth. Eat the dumpling in two or three more bites. Repeat. I had assumed soup dumplings were an eat at the restaurant kind of food, but tonight I couldn't quite bear the lousy atmosphere, so I performed the to-go experiment. I also ordered scallion pancakes ($2.50) and Beef Brisket Noodle ($5.50). All made it home intact and quite tasty. The pancakes were acceptable, if nothing to write home about. The Beef Brisket Noodle was almost fantastic. I swear the noodles were fresh, and the brisket was tender and deeply flavorful. But the brown sauce, while yummy, was far too salty. I still ate it, of course, but the salt flavor lingers in my mouth.
(4)Annie A.
Simply the best. Their Shangai Soup Dumplings complete me.
(4)Ann V.
Hmmm... soup dumplings were interesting. When i took my first bite, the broth inside came pouring out and burnt my tongue. I'm not quite sure what i think of this place just yet but I suppose this place is decent. Will have to give it another try one day.
(3)J G.
Don't let the sketchy underpass loiters and Chinatown bus crowd outside the restaurant deceive you! This is one of the best and cheapest dim sum restaurants in Philadelphia. The soup dumplings are some of the best in Philly. If they don't have something you want on the menu, ask for it, because they'll make it from scratch. The cashier and owners are from Beijing, so you'll get better service if you speak in northern Mandarin to them.
(4)Vanessa H.
Based on two visits. Friendly service, good soup dumplings (great soup inside, mine were a little drier on top than one might want), and cheap. The location sucks unless you're waiting for a Chinatown bus, and there are flies. If I walk by some time, I'll stop by to try some of the other dumplingy things.
(3)Felix L.
Talk about false advertising! So first of all, the restaurant name is misleading, so if you are looking for traditional dim sum, prepare to be disappointed. My friend and I ordered two orders of the shanghai dumplings (xiao long bao), and they were mediocre at best, even though they were plenty juicy. The siu mai wasn't made of pork and was oddly shaped. The beef noodle dish was unappetizing, and I don't know if that is a function of being fully fed or fully fed up with the service. While seated at the small, elevated table that's already pretty cramped for space, our server forced our dish onto the table, fully disregarding the lack of space. As a result, he spilled hot tea all over my friend and all over his Blackberry and digital camera. He did apologize profusely and I think he genuinely felt bad, but yikes! Also, since there is no waiting area and the restaurant was surprisingly packed throughout lunch, we felt watched the entire time. That's no way to dine! If this is the standard for Chinese food in Philly, you can't pay me enough to leave Cali for that. Ugh. Blackberries can be replaced, but the horrible memory of this "dim sum" experience can't. Oh well, at least they tried!
(1)Shanna M.
An absolute must for anyone coming or going on the China town bus. While the depot is directly next door, a trip here will make certainly put a smile on even the most frustrated of travelers. My boyfriend and I split the Soup dumplings and the braised beef noodles it was more than enough for the both of us and all together cost $12. Can you believe that! Yeah me either! True the place does look like a typical corner Chinese food store, but I promise you once you get over the initial shock, this place will become one of your go to stops for quick, cheap and delicious food in the city.
(4)Veronica X.
Best Shanghai style Dim Sum I've ever had outside of Shanghai. Xiao Long Bao ( literally"little buns in a steamer" or as most people here call it, Soup Dumplings): excellent. Eat them while they are hot (as hot you can handle) because the soup inside the dumplings will gelatinize when allowed to cool. Bite into them carefully so the soup won't explode onto your dining companions, which could result in 1st degree burn, expensive dry cleaning and possible breakup. Fried pastry with shredded Daikon (a kind of radish, similar to Turnip) filling: I liken the pastry shell to Croissant for the similar flaky, rich texture (of course no butter is used in traditional Chinese pastry so no buttery taste). I had better pastry shell elsewhere but the Daikon filling here can't be beat: moist, savory and fresh tasting. It comes in an order of two. Our first order was great so we ordered a second, and they rushed it out. When it was brought to our server's attention that the 2nd order was undercooked, the kitchen promptly made another order for us as replacement. Pan fried pork bun: slightly over-cooked at the bottom but still very good. Some people may find the skin a little thick and doughy, but keep in mind that it's made from yeast dough unlike your normal dumpling skin ( hence the inaccuracy in calling them dumplings). I shall return.
(4)Eddie K.
Loved the XLB and Crab XLB. Those are a must. The skin is smooth unlike the ones I ate at Bob's Shanghai and Shanghai Taste in Rockville. The shrimp dumpling and fried XLB was pretty good too. The Zha Jiang Mian was just okay. Was expecting something in a bowl instead of a plate. They take credit cards here!
(4)Nataly N.
I was really hungry one night when I wandered on 11th St near Chinatown and stumbled upon this place under the tunnel, ablaze with its neon signs. In the past, I've had many bad experiences with dumplings, many of which were filled with mystery substances that claimed to be "chicken" or "shrimp." However, this was not the case at Dim Sum Garden. For $3.75, I got 10 pieces of pan-fried pork & chives dumplings. They were crispy on the outside, yet juicy and flavorful on the inside. They were very filling and delicious. I haven't had other items on their menu, but I'd definitely recommend their chives & pork dumplings. The service was ok - friendly and quick. You can either eat in or take out. I chose to stay and the food came out pretty quickly. While there aren't many tables, they turn over pretty fast and someone comes out to clean them up immediately. Great place for a quick and inexpensive meal.
(4)Carlin Y.
This place is awesome. It looks kinda dirty and a little sketchy, but they probably have the BEST soup dumplings in the Philly area that won't leave your wallet considerably lighter. They have pretty decent dim sum as well, other dishes are pretty standard, but everything is pretty cheap and portions aren't bad. Worth it if you're hungry and could use some inexpensive but decent Chinese food real fast! Right next to the Chinatown bus terminal, it's the perfect spot to chill out and snack in before taking the bus.
(4)John D.
A unique take on traditional Chinese dim sum, the dishes are larger so you won't get to sample the normal variety. The juicy pork buns are challenging to eat make sure they cool down. Priced well, two will eat like kings for $25.
(3)Markie J.
Amazing xiao long bao as I've been deprived of this for ages. How sad for I to be living in this city and not having gone to this restaurant. A little cozy place for a date, as my boyfriend took me here. Great for those who are Mandarin/Cantonese speakers as the selections suit Chinese-Americans' taste buds a little more (just IMO). The service was good but it was quite busy for a Sunday brunch. Though, if you expect this to be a five-star restaurant, rethink again because you have to be quite loud and make sure you are heard as they are again, busy. Again, I recommend the xiao long bao, because the skin is really soft, yet it holds in the soup and filling really well. Just don't burn your tongues on them because they can get quite hot. Btw, the Restaurant's name is quite misleading and the place is kind of isolated from the rest of Chinatown. It's not in the best location but be reassured - you'll get your money's worth. It's not expensive either! I'll be sure to return another day. Enjoy :) (Crude, Yelp doesn't post Chinese words. Ha, this is my first review ^_^.)
(4)C Q.
This review is for the soup dumpling only - We got 4 orders of the pork soup dumplings ( or juicy pork dumplings) and an order of the scallion pancakes. The scallion pancake were good. The pork soup dumplings were really good. It had a lot of soup, the "skin" was thin and the flavor were great. I did not give it 5 stars because one of the soup dumplings had some pink stuff in it. We think it was not cooked through. We spoke to the wait staff. She insisted that it was crab meat (she said it was for extra flavoring). My kids are mildly allergic to seafood, so it was alarming to hear that they put crab meat in the pork soup dumplings. But then they didn't show any symptoms of the allergy, so I guess it's all good. I usually eat the soup dumplings with some young gingers and vinegar. The restaurant will provide the ginger if you ask for it. The ginger was not quite young enough and it was a little too thick. It is a small store located across street from Hilton near the Chinatown bus stop. While some people feel it was not a very safe location, I can only say that I don't feel any less safe there than anywhere in the surrounding area.
(4)Matthew L.
What I really like is that the entrance to this is in a tunnel. It makes you feel like you are privy to some secret, and are entering the bat cave. Really simple location, read "not very glamorous". The soup dumplings are great. (Side note, I always burn the crap out of my tongue and can't taste them, so I might be off on the taste). What I like is quick in, quick out no fuss all for a similar price to fast food. That alone makes it shine.
(4)Jason K.
My first time experiencing Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), and I have to say that I was ridiculously impressed! The place is located right next to a bus depot, and is not much to look at from the exterior (or interior for that matter), but the service was prompt & friendly, the food was piping hot, and the bill was CHEAP! Great combination if you ask me! Other highlights, in addition to the Xiao Long Bao included the vegetable steamed buns (perfect "doughyness"), scallion pancakes, and so many steamed dumplings (with pork filling) that I was ready to burst! All in all, definitely a place I'd recommend...and will be visiting again!
(4)Bethany P.
I ran into this place for a quick lunch while attending a conference because everything else was jammed. Because I'm not a big fan of dumplings (I know, it's illegal, my fiance can not understand it) I ordered a noodle dish, thinking you can't go wrong with a noodle dish in an asian restaurant. What came out was basically egg noodles with little bacon bit like pieces of pork. I ate about 4 bites, and then went the rest of the afternoon being hungry. If you are going to come here, make sure you stick with the dim sum. However, given how many Asian restaurants there are in this area, I'd have to assume you can do way better.
(1)Anna Marie C.
every time my family and i are in taiwan, we make multiple trips (sometimes on the same day) to din tai fung which is, arguably, the best place in the world to have soup dumplings. so suffice it to say, i'm kind of a soup dumpling snob. so imagine how excited i was to find a place in philadelphia that served soup dumplings! alas, alas, my excitement was soon abated, as the dumplings arrived, with slightly too thick skins, and pork meat that was a little too fatty. i would have given it more stars, but the meal got worse. noodle soup? go to nan zhou instead. their dessert soup with tang yuan was pretty much inedible. if i must waste my calories in eating chinese food with way processed white flour carbohydrates... it better be good. the only highlight? the scallion pancakes. but i've had ones that tasted just as good coming out of a frozen box.
(1)Julie F.
As others have stated, this place doesn't replace Lakeside Deli (tears), but it is delicious in its own special, meat-filled way. My friends and I ordered a couple of dishes and shared them - trying to replicate that dim sum feeling. Traditional pan-fried pork dumplings were perfectly cooked, with nicely flavored juicy pork bursting out. The plain sounding cucumbers were marinated in something mysterious and delicious! Get them (you'll also feel ordering a vegetable will negate all the other unhealthy greasy doughy stuff). The scallion pancakes were more-or-less what you're used to but a bit more fresh tasting and not too mealy or doughy like some I've had. Grease City though. There were some kind of sticky rice shumai we ordered which were okay, not my favorite though. My favorite, not shockingly, were the soup dumplings. I like any food that requires thought. How do I get the soup out of the dumpling? How do I not burn my tongue with scalding broth? How the heck do they get the liquid in the dumpling, anyway? The broth was so tasty! You bite a little hole in the dumpling and then slurp out the broth. Yeah, you might not want to come here on a date - it's not a cute look. Delicioso. Best part - four people stuffed their pieholes for a grand total of 23 bucks. How the heck can you beat that?
(4)Shirley Y.
My favorite here are the shanghai steamed dumplings (soup dumplings). Only place in Philly that I know has these and they are so heavenly and juicy and go well with a little chilli sauce and vinegar (ginger) sauce. The noodle soups and fried dishes are decent. There are a lot of dishes and specials that aren't on the menu that are pretty good. My mandarin speaking friend was able to order us some good authentic chinese dishes, several that suprisingly for me I have never tried before. I've been here several times and always found the service to be good. All the ladies are nice.
(4)M M.
Today was my first time here based on Yelp's search and reviews. The scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious, best served with the dumpling sauce (for me) The Shanghai soup dumplings were also great, but watch out for the hot soup inside! I wasn't a big fan of their Wonton Ho fun soup and their triple steamed dumplings. Next time i come here, i think im going to order all appetizers.... and many orders of scallion pancakes and soup dumplings YUM
(3)Kin L.
Even though the food is good, one thing that this place needs to learn is to not rush customers when they are eating. Even though it was towards the end of the night, it's no excuse to do so. I understand the notion of getting ready to close up shop, but closing time wasn't even close. We had two xiao long bao pieces left in the container and the waitress, who had the most expressionless face, came over and lifted it up and asked if we were finished. We said no. She left and came back 5 minutes later and did the same thing, we said no again. So then she asked with one hand on the dumpling sauce dispenser, "Oh, can I take the sauces away first?" Seriously, how DARE she try to take away the dumpling sauces before we finished the dumplings?!? It was just plain rude! Someone needs to tell that girl that tips are earned! It's stuff like that that turns an otherwise good dining experience into a mediocre one. Don't ever touch a man's sauce until the food's gone!
(3)Herbie H.
It was my first Dim Sum experience, so I had no idea what to expect. For a Saturday at lunch time, it was extremely busy and crowded. Pros: -The food was delicious (we had three different types of dumplings.. I forget which ones.) Very tasty and flavorful. Both of the sauces were tasty as well. -CHEAP! I paid $17 (with tip) for three orders of dumplings/juicy buns and waters for two people. -One of the servers could tell both myself and my friend were new to Dim Sum and instructed us how to eat it (through very broken English). It was a sweet gesture. Cons: -Service was... bizarre. Our waitress came about 30 seconds after sitting down and asked for our order. She convinced us to get one of the dumplings and understood we needed more time to look over the menu to order something more. The dumplings came out quickly and we finished them. Then another waitress handed us our bill.... I guess she assumed we were finished. -Everything was very rushed and hurried. I can't tell if it's because the restaurant does a lot of take-out business, because it was busy, or if it was always very impersonal. -I think I was expecting something a little "classier" or more of what I envisioned to be a typical Dim Sum experience (with the cart, etc.) The food was really good, but the service/atmosphere kind of made the experience only iffy.
(3)Sophia S.
Since my first visit, I have been back to DSG many times, and it has yet to disappoint. I just wanted to share a few of my menu favorites: -chili cabbage pork noodles, dry (the noodles are house made and the sauce is tangy and savory). The noodles with brisket are also good and have a little bok choy in them. -obviously both pan fried and steamed pork juicy buns. The pan fried ones are huge. The steamed are the soup dumplings where you slurp the broth out. I don't think I've been a single time without ordering these two. -sauteed chinese broccoli with fresh garlic. this is inexpensive and shockingly flavorful. a great way to get some greens. -Moon cake. Its a savory appetizer meat pie thingy. yum. get it. -scallion pancake. Normally at chinese restaurants I scoff at scallion pancake and think its just deep fried bread...but this is different. its flaky and light, and yes fried, but just so good.
(5)Di P.
JUICY BUNS. Everybody writes about it and they're right, man. Those soup dumplings turn me on. First of all, it's just amazing that they hold liquid. Thankfully I have above average chopstick skills and I managed to not stab a hole in those slippery and heavy suckers. Secondly, I love how you're so torn between gulping them down right away versus letting them cool. So I basically went for it and had an explosion of hot liquid in my mouth even though my friend kept emoting, "dooon't do it. doooon't do it!!" I didn't care. The pork ball in the middle made it worth it. And the look on my friend's face as soup spilled out of my mouth. I honestly can't remember anything else I ate because the juicy buns was nothing like I ever experienced before. PS don't go to this place for the ambiance. It's placed in one of the shadiest parts of Chinatown and the people who come here feel so transient-- like they accidentally stopped in while waiting for the Chinatown Bus to come. But I like how Dim Sum Garden doesn't try to make themselves fancy. They just embrace it, and provide semi-fast cheap food. But no quarters. Go somewhere for change for the meters or buy a soda.
(4)Mary L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers who reviewed and raved about this place! I finally found a dimsum place to go to when I'm in Philly. I ordered soup dumplings during lunch break while I was in the city and it was worth every penny. I've been to Jo Shanghai in NYC and have sampled their dumplings. I'm amazed and surprised to admit - Dimsum Garden's soup dumplings are on par if not EVEN BETTER than theirs! I'll be back here to try out their other offerings!
(5)Ted K.
Amazing soup dumplings. Not much ambience but clean enough (clean bathroom) and waitstaff was friendly. Stick to the Shanghainese dishes though (soup dumplings, smoked fish, shanghainese siu mai - has rice in the filling, different in a good way- and the noodle dishes, espcially the pork with sauce noodle). The regular dumplings were not so good.
(4)Heifer L.
The very first time yelp has disappointed me... I hate to have to make this review but the other reviews are completely misleading. First off, their dumplings were the worst dumplings I ever had. The frozen ones from Costco are 10 times better than theirs. Their appearance speaks volume on their quality of food but I ignored it because of the 4 stars it had on here compared to the other dim sum places yelp listed. The only thing they had going for them was their prices, super cheap but I wonder why?! I left there still hungry because I couldn't eat anymore. My daughter was even feeling sick to her stomach. I do not recommend this place. Its not the usual dim sum where they roll carts to each table. You have to pick and chose from a menu which seemed to only really have an assortment of dumplings. Services was poor and ridiculous. Our server showed no patience whatsoever. We ended up giving our 3 bag full of leftovers to some homeless people.
(1)Siv L.
Stopped in while in Phila for some dim sum here. Yummy soup dumplings. Loved the shumai which was different than I've ever had elsewhere. We also tried a few other things but those two were the most memorable. Would recommend (however parking nearby is hard to find so we ended up parking in a lot that was almost as expensive as our dim sum!)!
(4)Dung H.
The rating is for the soup dumplings. Really delicious! esp when it's still hot so eat it before it cools down, without buring your mouth though. It's a perfect soup to meat filling ratio. Plus, its fun to eat! I'm really glad that its close to where I live in Philadelphia. I'm not sure where to even find this back in in Maryland.. or DC. PLUS, as in most of my reviews.. I have to mention the price (I'm on a budget, remember??) It's super cheap! 8 dumplings for like 6 bucks I think. YAY! Pretty filling too... enough to share. So good, my best friend and I came back two days in a row for these things. The name of the place is a little misleading, I think. Sure they have dim sum items on their menu but its not served dim sum style with the carts and all of that. Not what I expected when I got here: small restaurant with a few table and chairs, a carry out style place. Sanitation is typical of the Chinatown area... can't really expect more with the prices... COME for the soup dumplings!! It will definitely be worth the trip!
(4)Angela E.
My lunch-buddy and I are always on the prowl for cheap eats and were happy to discover Dim Sum Garden's soup dumplings. Not only are they cheap, but for a little over $5, you get eight dumplings filled with delicious broth. I'm not saying it's fat free because once the broth began to cool, you could indeed see the congealed grease, but that's common with soups and/or gravies, right? Hey- I don't complain! I walk away with a belly full of delicious hot pork, broth and spare change. You'll also get hot tea and in and out in record time! I've tried other dumplings, too, and have been pleasantly surprised, but I keep coming back for the "juicy" dumplings. Warning: Poke a hole in the top and let them cool before shoveling the entire thing in your mouth- don't be dainty, eat it whole or you're wasting your time!
(3)tony c.
Their Shao Long Bao is pretty good. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT let it get semi cold. It greases up very fast. The liquid is a rich pork broth with some spring onion taste. Couple this with vinegar and finely sliced ginger, it's the perfect combination for a late afternoon snack. Some folks get a 2:30pm black coffee, when in the philly chinatown area, I get a quick shao long bao order. Their onion pancake was again alittle greasy. I used some napkin to suck up the BP spill, and it was pretty crunchy and flaky. However, i would discourage in getting the Pan-fried pork bun. It had way too much grease and the breading was just too chewy. It wasn't thick (which is a typical problem) but the breading was just too chewy. Like I said, in the mood, Dim Sum Garden is perfect for a greasy spoon spot! -2 stars for the oil and bouncy pan fried pork bun.
(3)Larry L.
Ever since I went to Joe's Shanghai in manhattan years ago I've been looking for a place in philly that served soup dumplings/ juicy buns/shanghai buns whatever you want to call them. My search has ended. Pork and crab juicy buns are excellent. The marinated pork is also very good too. I just wish they had more buns to choose from. Thanks so much to the Philly yelpers for helping me find this place!!
(4)Jerry W.
Absolutely amazing. Their dim sum and noodle soup (Udon) are to die for and cost next to nothing.
(5)Thomas G.
Original in name only. After many satisfying visits to this restaurant three of us agreed last night's meal was the worst we'd had, not only here but in a Chinese restaurant generally. The signature shanghai soup dumplings were tepid and lacked flavor. An order of steamed dumplings with pork and chives was inedibly gummy. None of us had ever had worse dumplings...anywhere!! The chicken on a stick was overcooked to the point of turning into wearable moccasins. We will never go back.
(1)Ben W.
Definition of a hole-in-the-wall. I remember walking by this place freshman year, wary of the dingy bus station next door and the sketchy neon signs in the window. Looking back, I was dumb. This place is by far one of my favorite dim sum places in Philly, if not the US. First off, the restaurant itself isn't the best-looking, but don't let that stop you from ordering some of the most delicious steamed and fried goodies. It's not your traditional dim sum place because there are no carts and you order strictly off a menu. The selection is huge and one thing I love about this place is that everything is fresh. You can take a peek at the kitchen and just watch them wrap and seal all the different types of dumplings they offer. My favorite item is the soup dumplings. I could literally eat these things every day. The skin is cooked just perfectly, silky soft and delicate enough to break just from sucking on it. The meat is so tasty and the soup is the best part. If you've never had soup dumplings before, ask your server how to eat them because it can get tricky. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu and I would suggest bringing a huge crowd of friends so that you can sample almost everything on the menu. I honestly don't know what more to say about this place except GO GO GO!
(5)Mallory D.
I equate dim sum to the Chinese version of bar food. All the little delicious picky stuff without having to mess around with noodles & rice & whatnot (although that is certainly an option here!). I loved my first experience here and have been daydreaming about going back. With such an expansive menu, the possibilities are endless! Everything my sister & I got here was delicious. I am not as huge a fan a the little soup sack dumplings as I am pan fried, but they were deliciousnonetheless...despite the fact that I burnt off a layer of skin on the roof of my mouth. Oh well, I know better for next time! Even the non-dim sum itens were delicious. I especially liked the won ton soup, chicken on a stick, and the very tasty scallion pancakes. Dim Sum Garden is by no means a classy joint. In fact it is a little terrifying. But totally worth it. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Jiawei H.
I tried all dimsum place in central city ，only one place i'm very like ，is original dimsum garden on 59 N 11th street ，the soup dumpling.scallion pancake .handmake noodle.....much better than everywhereï¼i'll come back soon with more friendï¼
(5)Sarah K.
I'm just going to say that the ambiance and service was what made me rate this 2 stars. The table was sticky and the service was a little rude. I also had the roast duck over rice, which was mediocre. It was incredibly bony, and the greens on the side had no business being on a rice dish. Banana peppers?? BUT the Shanghai Pork Dumplings were awesome. I'd probably only come back for these only.
(2)Ray L.
I can't say that I get what the hype is about, except that this place is fairly cheap. Their soup dumplings here are well flavored but fatty, but if I come here that's definitely what I end up getting. Their scallion pancakes are pretty good so I would definitely recommend those. Brace yourself as this is not the most comfortable dining experience (even by chinatown standards). But it's a hole in the wall and you know that going in, right?
(3)Erica M.
How did I not discover this place when I lived a block away???? What a find. The dumplings and noodles are fantastic. We had pork sauce noodles, pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, steamed chicken dumplings, steamed shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes, and soup dumplings. Everything was awesome. Highlights were the pork sauce noodles, pork and chive dumplings, and the soup dumplings (though don't order those if you're souper hungry - pun intended - because they take a while to cool off so you don't scorch your mouth). Awesome place...can't wait to go back!
(5)Brian M.
All of what you expect from this type of joint. Quick, cheap, kinda dirty, staff who speak broken English, wide menu selection, etc. Not that these are bad things, but Dim Sum Garden doesn't really stand out for me in any way worth reporting. It's straightforward and safe. I've been here a couple times now, and actually prefer the pan-fried dumplings over the more renowned steamed "soup dumplings" which the staff here has pushed on me each time I've visited. Nothing special really and kind of a pain to eat. If this is your idea of "fun" then, well...good for you. Also their chopsticks suck. They seem...greasy. Hard to handle.
(3)Angie K.
XIAO LONG BAO! Yes, you may be harassed by random people in front of the store. Yes, there are tacky neon lights in the front. Yes, the inside decor is not much better. But who cares? The food and prices are great! I really haven't had too much trouble with the service; it is just typical of any Chinatown restaurant. They actually remember me, which can get slightly awkward/amusing when you go with acquaintances. Get the xiao long bao (soup dumplings), the Shanghai siu mai (sticky rice and minced pork dumpling), scallion pancake, ja jiang mien (minced pork in black bean noodle sauce). They also have a beef noodle soup that is great as well. No really, ignore the tacky decor and go for the dumplings.
(4)Ali B.
Maybe it was the super duper rush. Maybe it was the fact that they forgot our order of xiao long bao. Maybe it was the fact that by "crab" topped they meant the smallest drop of crabmeat per dumpling. Maybe it was the fact that the xiao long bao tasted like egg drop soup to me. Can find a better steal more deep in chinatown. Prices elevated likely secondary to proximity to chinatown bus depot. Wouldn't necc rush to go to again.
(2)Kathy I.
My first experience with soup dumplings was here and it was really good! I actually like the fried dumplings better but in general they were both good. Plus it was really cheap. The soup dumplings were a bit too salty but still enjoyable!
(4)Lisa Y.
The best soup dumplings in Philly! The soup is plentiful and hot! I eat them with hot chili oil and ginger soy sauce. I only come here for the dumplings, the rest of the food is just eh.
(4)Joyce W.
I would have to say that this place is good for where it is at. Philadelphia isnt really known for their asian population so for the quality of shanghai soupy dumplings... its great. Dont get me wrong, its not bad... the skin is thin but i have had thinner and yummy juices. I just recently tried another place in NY for dumplings and that was DELICIOUS!!!! I will definitly go back to this place and try others dishes... looking forward to try their noodles.
(4)Natalie H.
When taking the bus to NYC, I always came by this place and wanted to try it. I am a gigantic dumpling fan, they may be my favorite food, anyways, I stopped in here on my way home to pick up some dumplings to go. I ordered the pork "soup" dumplings. Wow, they were good. Although I only had one dish, it was five stars! I would absolutely go back and try every other kind of dumpling.
(5)Paul B.
Xlb had really good skins. Broth was decent but the dipping sauce was lacking. Personally if I am eating soup dumplings then I want the vinegar sauce with ginger to cut the super savory xlb broth. The dipping sauce was in this little pourer instead of a dish and ginger was no where to be found. I'll be the first to admit that I had no idea how to use that pourer without spilling everywhere. Regardless pork xlb were 8 for $5.25, and to be clear: I'm not completely insane. There is no way I'm going to give a bad review to delicious soup dumplings at that price. To top it off Dim Sum Garden is so much easier to get to in Philly than it is for me to make it out to flushing from my manhattan apt.
(4)Bianca L.
OK so I admit that all we ordered here was one order of xiao long bao (Shanghainese soup dumplings with crab and pork) but they were delicious. The skin was the perfect thickness - very, very thin and the dumplings were clearly handmade. It's not at all a traditional dim sum restaurant - for one thing, dim sum is generally Cantonese-style Chinese tapas-like lunch, whereas Dim Sum Garden offers food that is primarily Shanghainese in style. The noodle soups and other dishes also seem good - I'm looking forward to trying the smoked fish next time. It's in an odd location, and I admit that the pictures of the food above the counter and the decor threw me off a bit, but the food is worth returning for. I'll update after I try more than just the soup dumplings but those were so good it was worth reviewing just on that basis. ** Update: we returned here and ordered more dumplings and other tasty dishes. The noodles in the beef brisket soup were great - handmade and nicely chewy but the broth itself was a little flavorless and too salty. However, everything else we ordered was terrific - the dumplings had nice, thick skins with juicy fillings and the green onion pancake was top-notch. And again, this time both orders of Shanghainese soup dumplings were spot-on - served piping hot, they were juicy and wonderful. Next time, I'm trying the smoked fish (another Shanghainese specialty).
(4)Abe L.
Best xiao long bao in the mid-atlantic area by far. Blows away Joe's shanghai. Almost as good as din tai fung in Taipei. Decor is what you'd expect of a restaurant next to the bus depot.
(4)Thao H.
On par for Chinese food.
(3)Micaela F.
Kinda in a sketchy area but when you try their delicious varieties of dumplings you will forget where you are. Came the first time with a friend after we read Craig Le Ban's review. He did not go wrong with this one. The soup dumplings are delicious and the Siu Mai is a bit different but love it.
(5)Erin H.
Probably the most solicitous service I have had in a Chinese restaurant in a long time. Not your typical Dim Sum experience but my lunch was beyond delicious! The duck was amazingly tender and fatty and the soft, wide noodles were amazing. The crab dumplings were tasty, steaming hot little delights. What cannot be beat was the price! 3 of us ate for $21 - worth every penny - a great lunch place - particularly during a grueling conference :).
(3)Kermit T.
So I don't give away stars easily, but this place earns a 4.5. I feel like I've never eaten good dim sum before. Every dish we ordered (and there were 7 of us sharing all kinds) was excellent. Soup dumplings are a must, steamed and pan fried dumplings are sensational alike. Also try the sweet potato
(4)Pete M.
What great dumplings and noodles! Shanghai soup dumplings and handmade noodle with pork are best I have had! Very affordable pricing and good service will definitely be coming back
(5)Jon E.
Soup dumplings (pork), scallion pancake, brisket noodle, and a side of bak choy. Fantastic meal, quick service, cheap ass hell, and consistent quality. I never deviate from this lineup but wouldn't be surprised if everything on their menu is delicious. Much respect to Dim Sum Garden.
(5)Cort M.
Service was excellent. Dumplings with soup inside? Try them...you will love them. We also had shrimp dim sum and scallion pancakes. We each had a bowl of soup, one beef and one chicken. We were stuffed and couldn't finish all the soup. The broth was just right. Didn't need to add a thing. Added the ginger sauce to the scallion pancakes and then went from excellent to brilliant. We will definitely eat here again if we return to Philly.
(5)Shane L.
Comfort food. Nuff said! This place looks like a dump, but the food that comes out of this kitchen can make anyone happy. Everything I've tasted here was plentiful in flavor. I recommend trying the soup dumplings since thats what everyone hypes about (they are good, not great). Rice dishes are OK, but I'd save room for their large soup noodles bowls. This is definitely a spot where you can come for a quick casual bite and then bounce with a nice warm/full belly. FYI....an added plus, this is a BYOB joint.
(3)Michelle C.
Keeping it short: -If you're craving soup dumplings, Dim Sum Garden is worth a try. The skin is thin, the soup isn't thick and heavy so you don't feel like you're drinking ounces of gelatinized pork fat (even tho you are). -Scallion pancake is tasty here. -Noodle dishes... if you like your noodles soggy and gummy (translation: gross). -Pan fried pork... not reminiscent of anything fried or pork unless you count the oil. -smoked fish is a cold dish drenched in soy sauce and sugar. - The owners/waitress' were really nice and tried to be helpful. - If you're in need of watching bad chinese variety shows. This is the place!! -Looked around and seemed like fried/boiled dumplings were a huge hit there... I'll defiantly go back but just for the soup dumplings, the other dishes do not look appetizing. Try them at your own risk!
(3)Elisabeth Y.
My husband and I came here on our way back from the Winter Beer Fest at Union Transfer. He had some chicken and pork dumplings, which he said were good. We split the pumpkin dumplings (sweet, but good with the sauce) and scallion pancakes (a little too greasy). I had the steamed vegetable bun and the steamed vegetable dumplings. The food is good, the service is really quick, and it's cheap. Can't really go wrong.
(4)John S.
Has the best dumplings I ever had.. Get Pork Soup dumplings and scallion pancakes. They even have chicken feet! As far as the service, they only have about 6 dumpling steamers, so you might have to wait a little for your steamed pork juicy buns, but its worth it. they have the best dumpling ginger sauce and chile oil. gotta go here, its almost better that the reading terminal market next door!
(5)Mike D.
Some of the best dim sum I've had. All the dumplings are superb. The fried tofu over rice is magic.
(5)Caleb L.
This was the first Chinese restaurant that I tried on my trip to Philadelphia. The area is pretty sketchy, but the food is great. We tried both soup dumplings(steamed and fried) and the scallion pancake. The steamed dumpling great. They were filled with tons of tasty soup and the meat is great. The scallion pancakes were good as well. The thing I was most excited for; however, were the fried soup dumplings. Unfortunately the idea of them being friend and soups filled don't work out too well together. Because they they're fried, the thicker dough ended up soaking up all of the liquid. This place is tasty and cheap($14.10). The only down side is that they made us buy a soda in order to use our card. They have a $15.00 minimum.
(4)Debra C.
I was highly skeptical of this place when my friends chose it. For starters, the restaurant location is a tad sketchy - situated under a darkly lit overpass of sorts - and the interior... the owners didn't even try. But the food... oh the food! Dim Sum Garden isn't really a dim sum garden. It's more like a Shanghai dumpling house. A frickin' good one at that! A total surprise. The juicy pork soup dumplings were excellent (our group of five downed three servings!), the shumai were strange in a the best of ways (stuffed with more sticky rice than pork, but super delicious), the scallion pancakes were perfectly crispy, and the all house sauces (the dumpling sauce, ginger sauce, and hot sauce) were PERFECTION. All this said, never judge a book by its cover! The decor here may be shitty, but the food is frickin' lovely.
(4)Heesun K.
Had Pork Soup Dumplings Scallion Pancakes & Beef Brisket Noodle Soup. Unlike the other time I went, the dumplings had alot of soup in them. awesome! the noodle soup was less salty than the last time and had lots of braised beef in it. Overall, very satifying meal.
(4)Trang N.
SUUUUPER yummy pork "juice" dumplings, aka soup dumplings! If you don't know what they are, you need to come here and try it. Worth the trip to Philly...!! Con: typical of Chinatown restaurants, they're not too clean with the way they serve you your drinks/food.
(4)Steve L.
This place looks shady, super shady. I told myself location would never be the reason for a bad review. Once inside, the lights are bright white and had that scary movie feel to it. Onto the food. We kept it simple and just wanted to try the "famous" soup dumplings that people have been raving about. We also ordered the pan fried version as well. The pan fried soup dumplings came out first. Definitely not my favorite of the two, since this version was a bit drier (no soup! duh) and the dough was thicker than what I would have liked. The regular ones came out and looked delicious. It had a thinner skin and plenty of soup inside. Carefully bite into these things because burning your lips is inevitable. Flavorwise it wasn't anything mind blowing. Just your simple pork filling and some good stock inside.
(3)Art C.
Was gonna go to Rangoon for lunch today. Glad I decided to do that some other time. Lunch at DSG was awesome. My friend and I had: Cabbage & Chili Soup- excellent (only $1.50!) Seaweed salad- very nice Pork soup dumplings- to die for Fried Veg Dumplings- exquisite, tiny diced tofu, chives & other veg, way better than typical veg dumplings Cold cucumber- very nice, I wonder if the the cukes are slightly fermented, definitely more going on than typical Chinese cold cucumber salad Another order of pork soup dumplings, we couldn't resist. We left stuffed and happy, the bill was only $26.95! YUM!
(5)Tu-van L.
Solid option for xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Located at the underpass not far away from Reading Terminal Market, this small restaurant looks more like your take-out Chinese place. Nevertheless the menu has what you need. They told us they had three types of soup dumplings but the pan-fried one didn't taste like what you expect it to be like (the others were delicious though). Great option for comfort Chinese on a cold day.
(4)Travis L.
A little surprise near the Chinatown area. Hole in the wall place (under a tunnel of all places!) managed often by a single server (yeah, service can be a little... curt and inconsistent) Really quality soup dumplings and fried dumplings for a great price. For canto folks like myself, it's definitely shanghai-style dim sum (the siu mai is stuffed with glutinous rice as I discovered). Really like their noodle dishes, as well, especially the pork with sauce one. They definitely have the hand-drawn, homemade texture to them and for that price, I am absolutely not complaining.
(4)Peter G.
Great, tasty, inexpensive, and authentic dim sum. The interior is nothing special at all, but maybe that's become part of its appeal. It isn't trying to focus on fancy service, just delicious dishes (and, admittedly, quick service).
(4)Kit K.
The best juicy dumplings in the city!!! Should to try cold marinated cucumbers. I couldn't say the cafe's exterior and interior absorb all your attention, but that worth to try everything here. :)
(5)Shivon R.
Came here with a friend who had just moved into the Chinatown area. We were craving some Dim Sum, and this place seemed to have garnered a lot of attention. I had been warned by other reviewers that the place was located in a somewhat sketchy spot, and boy were they right. I felt I was entering a troll's lair as I came up to the restaurant. Fortunately, the food more than makes up for the lack of decor. My friend and I split an order of the famous xian long bao (soup dumplings), fried vegetable dumplings, and scallion pancakes. It was my first time trying soup dumplings, and, I won't lie, it was kind of a hot mess. I tried daintily poking at the top with chopsticks and sucking out the soup, but that was just not doing it for me. Next I tried placing the dumpling on the spoon, taking a big chomp out of it, and then sipping the soup dribble out of the spoon. Either way, I still ended up squirting soup everywhere. It was definitely worth the trouble though. So tasty! The vegetable dumplings were so-so, nothing to write home about. The scallion pancakes were nicely flavored, but a little bit on the oily side for me. I also ended up ordering a glass of their homemade iced tea (I could actually see them making it in the kitchen), and I will say that was probably the best iced tea I've ever had. Super refreshing without being too sweet.
(4)Tanon T.
The soup dumplings are pretty and fair for the price. It's really busy here so you should get here quick.
(4)Sonal T.
Excellent food quality. I just feel they should work on the ambiance.
(3)Stefanie A.
I crave Dim Sum Garden soup dumplings weekly. And I eat them weekly. I've had a few other things (bok choy, spicy noodles with pork, weird mushroom shumai) but I always come here for dumplings and am never disappointed with them. It's a dive under the convention center, so the location and ambiance is severely lacking, but who cares when you can get tender, juicy, pork dumplings filled with perfectly-seasoned soup for $6? It's a fun place to go with friends, bring some wine, and chow for cheap. or take 'em home--they heat up great. My bf's a fan of the pork and crabmeat ones, so get one or get them both. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Tanti L.
Service is not great, but what do you expect? its chinatown, under the scary tunnel looking place, and its damn cheap. Their xiao long bao overrides every negative things about this place. you come there to eat and bail. u'll then find ur zen.
(5)Matt J.
We wanted to eat in Chinatown for lunch and this place had some good reviews and we always love good Dim Sum. And we were happy overall with this choice. It is a small (somewhat run down) place. But the server was happy to help and give us some recommendations and explain a few things where we needed some help. The soup dumplings were very good and well liked around the table. Can't remember what all we got but was a table full and all were pretty good.
(3)Jeff H.
Read about this place in the news awhile back when they only had one gas burner or something like that. I finally got around to trying it with a friend two weeks ago and I was not disappointed. We split an order of the Shanghai dumplings with pork and the pork and scallion pot stickers. It was enough to fill both of us up and we got out for about $10. Relatively simple menu but great prices and friendly service. There are a few different sauces at each table to dip in, a dumpling sauce, a chili sauce and a ginger sauce (if I'm remembering correctly). It's kind of hidden but I've taken the Chinatown bus so many times I don't know how I missed it, would've really come in handy for those times I would've liked a quick bite to eat before catching a ride to NYC. (It's near the Chinatown bus.)
(4)Percy N.
This place has some awesome, authentic dishes made with love, especially the Xiao Long Bao, which is not only hard to find in the Philly area, but these are one of the best I have ever had. Not sure if it is the fumes from the buses outside the restaurant, but even pedestrian dishes like the fried rice tasted special. When I last visited, they were still waiting for their gas stove, so I can only imagine the dishes getting better....if that is possible. Super friendly and helpful service and super cheap. A bit hard to find and you can easily walk by. Look for the neon "Wings" sign.
(5)Sarah P.
Awesome dumpling joint! We were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, conveniently across the the street from Dim Sum Garden, and were looking for a late light dinner before turning in without resorting to room service. I read the reviews on here for the soup dumplings and thought I'd try them, very happy I did! No, the place is not fancy or in a great location but the food is yummy. Husband was not too fond of the General Tso's chicken because he found some cartilage in it (he prefers it made with white meat) but I thought it was tasty. The scallion pancakes were yummy, loved the shrimp dumplings and yes, the soup dumplings were really good. Husband ordered one of the cantaloupe smoothies and it was a hit. Cheap too, we ate well for about $20.
(4)Epic N.
when you go, order only the SOUP DUMPLINGS and if you need another dish, the scallion pancakes - they get 5 stars - the scallion pancakes were light and crispy but wish it had more scallion - but when ordering the dumplings... make sure to ask for finely JULIENNE FRESH GINGER and put that on top of the dumplings- it adds great flavor to the dish! I tried a lot of the other stuff and nothing was that great - I ordered the gizzard, the duck, pork something...
(4)BJ M.
Fried pork soup dumpling is the best, and the pork pocket is also delicious. Good rendition of mapo tofu and pork with sauce noodles. Bok choy is also really good. Not as refined as some other dim sum gardens but really who cares. The taste is what counts.
(5)Christine E.
It's cheap, and it's decent food for a cold, hungover-laden Saturday afternoon. Nothing was amazing, yet nothing was bad. If I could personally give 5 stars to the steamed beef dumplings, I would. I recommend checking this place out if you want an inexpensive, fast, and un-fussy Dim Sum experience.
(3)Totally I.
I've been three times in the last month.It's got great Xiao Long Bao, shanghai soup dumplings (pork or crab). These are rarely found done well anywhere around here. The Chives & Pork dumplings are excellent and they use hand-pulled noodles. All that and the most expensive thing on the menu is $6.75! no joke... Not really a traditional dim sum restaurant but the dishes they do provide are superior to the 'traditional' Philly dim sum spots. I could eat there every day (edit: no, it turns out I can't eat there everyday... or shouldn't anyway) Poor Dawn R. doesn't know what's what with the soup dumpling. Try googling 'how to eat xiao lung bao' - as to Dave B.'s comment, to be clear it's not IN the bus terminal... it's across the little alley from the New Century 'Chinatown bus' office, and both are under the parking garage/hotel annex attached to the convention center that covers a number of streets in the area.
(4)Ryan B.
The older couple at the table next to me said it best "the foods really good here and the hipsters haven't taken over yet". I came here with the sole intent of finding delicious soup dumplings in Philadelphia and boy oh boy did I find them. They were EVERY bit as good as the ones I'm used to in NYC. Glad I found this place on yelp and I'm glad it'll save me China Town Bus rides to NYC for my soup dumpling fix. Don't let this places location scare you away, like Aladdin it's a "diamond in the ruff"
(4)Katie B.
Pork Juicy Buns are amazing! GO!
(5)David M.
Went there on a Sunday around noon. We had their soup dumplings, pan fried soup dumplings, har gow, triple stream dumplings, and turnip cake. My favorite was their pan fried soup dumplings, simply amazing. The service was fast, the price was cheap, and the food was great, what more can you ask?
(5)Patricia L.
For someone who's lived in Asia most of my life, this place def did not live up to its yelp reviews. The soup dumplings were juicy but were greasy and salty. You can definitely feel the MSG rolling off your tongue. Their pork and chive dumplings were decent but nothing to scream about. The scallion pancake is thin and crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside and comes with a decent tangy sauce. Overall, Good location and inexpensive. You can get 8 soup dumplings for 5.25. However if you want better, more authentic soup dumplings, head a few blocks down to Sakura Mandarin!
(2)Brian K.
Fantastic! Certainly doesn't look like much from the outside, and the location is a little sketchy, but don't let that deter you -- the food is delicious! Everything here is hand made (e.g. noodles, dumplings, etc) and you can really taste the difference. Ordered the soup dumplings and they were great. Wonderful broth under and tender skin. Also ordered one of the noodle dishes, which was excellent. The homemade noodles are chewy and perfect. The only downside was the wonton soup -- my companion liked it but the broth was a little off to me. Also, the duck in the roast duck over rice was more bones than duck -- although the crispy skin was great. Overall, fabulous place, very cheap, great service, and amazing food.
(4)Heather B.
To be honest, I'm (more than) a little baffled by the ratings for this place. Normally Yelp doesn't steer me wrong, but this time, I was sorely disappointed. My mother was in town for the Flower Show, and because she lives in an area where she can't get dim sum, we decided to come here. Maybe I've been spoiled by so many of the great restaurants in Chinatowns around the country, and perhaps I should admit that I can't stand Americanized Chinese food, but our meal here was pretty terrible. Everything we had - some sort of dumpling, scallion pancakes, and sauteed bok choy - was tremendously greasy. The bok choy came out drenched in a puddle of oil. I ended up with grease stains on my hoodie from whatever it was that came out of the dumpling. We had wanted shrimp dumplings, but they were out of them. My father is on a severely restricted diet, and this was my mother's chance to eat a good meal of food she can't have on his diet, and I feel guilty that, out of all of the fantastic places in Philly and in Philly's Chinatown, this was what she got. Womp womp.
(2)Vince S.
Despite being in the diviest of dive locations, the food is tasty and priced fairly. Also, try not to pay attention to the name. I'm not even sure if they have actual dim sum dishes on their menu (haha), In fact, I think they might be more known for their dumplings. I'm no connoseiur of the soup dumplings, but I could not tell the difference between this place and Din Tai Fung (the one in LA). Decent condiments to accompany dumplings also. Plenty of choices ranging from American Chinese to more authentic dishes. Service is ok, but one of the servers is a little on the grumpy/surly side.
(4)Nicole W.
For what it is, it's awesome! My husband and I are from out of town and love dim sum. We can't get it back home (in the sticks) so we always look for an authentic place when we travel. No need for fancy tables or ambience; we're all about the food. Bring on the dives and spare me the formalities! We spent $20 (not including tip), and were stuffed! Yes, $20 fed us both for dinner! It was so good but we were amazed we finished it all. They bring you ice water right away. The plastic tables and chairs were clean and comfortable. The AC was much appreciated during one of the four heat waves so far in Philly this year. The service was attentive but we're also not shy to ask for another fork or more water, for example. Our waiter made great recommendations too. Everyone was very pleasant. Shrimp dumplings- hubby ate those and liked them but didn't rave. Juicy pork buns- dumplings with pork and soup inside- their specialty and a must try! Pork noodles with sauce- fantastic and somehow tasted better with every bite. Chive pancake- wicked good too! A nice alternative texture to the rest of our meal. Not too greasy, great flavor. Another reviewer mentioned a situation where part of their group was served and eating before the others' food arrived or even ordered. I may have witnessed a similar situation at an adjacent table. Three of the four men were eating and seemed to be finishing up when the fourth man's food arrived. However, I was not a party to this group so I don't know the entire situation. Our experience was very enjoyable and we may even go back again for lunch before we leave despite all the wonderful dining options this city has to offer. They do accept credit cards but prefer cash.
(5)J L.
I've been here dozens of times. It's one of those hole in the wall places. I was very weary of eating here the first time, but so glad I did! Because it's awesome. Best soup dumplings you can get in Philly. The staff are always great and it's inexpensive too!
(5)Christine L.
After seeing a solid four stars for this place and having never tried it even though I'm always in Chinatown, we decided to give it a go. After giving it a try, I guess I realize once again why I've never bothered to come here. The place is right under the passageway going into Chinatown from 11th street, which is not in the usual vicinity of where we normally go for Chinatown. It is a bit dingy if I do say so myself, but I can also see how it may be "traditional" in terms of having an atmosphere similar to a small cafe/restaurant in China. We ordered the pork XLB, pan-fried pork dumplings, and a plate of pickled cabbage and pork noodles. The soup in the XLB wasn't bad. What needed improvement on was probably the quality of the skin, which was a bit sticky and doughy, and not as thin as it could be. We also wished that they would've given us small sauce dishes and ginger for dipping, because the bottles kept squirting in all the wrong directions (that's what she said). But for what the place is, I guess we couldn't ask for more. The pan-fried dumplings were your average, pan-fried dumplings, good but nothing special. The noodle plate was our least favorite. It was too salty for our liking, but tasted a lot better when we re-heated it the second time around at home. I wouldn't order that again though, if I ever do return here.
(2)Lily T.
Their soup dumplings and scallion pancake aren't extraordinary. You can probably find better/comparable in NYC, but seeing as it's the only place I've found in Philadelphia that serves them, that in itself deserves five stars. Important tips to remember when you eat soup dumplings: 1. Wait a few mins for them to cool unless you want to burn your tongue; 2. Put the whole thing in your mouth so it won't squirt all over the place (that's what he said?) You will, of course, be avoiding all the mistakes that I made on my first trip there. Dim Sum Garden's potential to flourish as a restaurant is stifled by its unfortunate location. Within the hour that we were there for lunch, there are three unpleasant encounters. First, a homeless man came in to solicit change from each table. Next, another person (who presumably just got off a bus), against the will of the staff, entered to borrow their restroom without making a purchase, which caused a semi-obnoxious commotion. Then, a woman asked to sit at one of their tables to eat the food she bought from outside. I can't help but think that people just bully Dim Sum Garden because they know they can get away with it. Since Reading Terminal is around the corner, people could easily go there for all three aforementioned tasks (panhandling, use of restroom, a free place to sit), but they didn't. For their own sake, I hope Dim Sum Garden either relocates or hires a security officer.
(3)Lily Z.
My 3rd time here and this place is always packed. Negatives: Cheap decor along with cheap tables and chairs. They have 1 server and no busser. My table wasn't properly cleaned this time. On top of that, I'm sharing my table with a party of 2. Theres not enough room on this table for all our food. If theres lots of people waiting, expect to wait outside. Positives: The food is good but I haven't ordered anything outside of the shanghai buns and siu mai. One of the best places for shanghai buns in Chinatown. Overall: -1 star for your cheap decor. -1 star for your service (hire another server or a busser, you have enough business to support him/her) -1 star for forcing me to share a table. Your food is good but to run a great restaurant, you need more than that. Also, they only accept CC for $20+
(2)Carlo D.
I didn't like the food at all and felt sick afterwards and I love all Asian food so for me to give a single star it's true
(1)Dave M.
With a large group of about 25 I tried everything. Just about everything they sent out was damned amazing. Extremely fresh. The waitresses were attentive to tea and keeping the meals coming. For about $16 a person we had what I would call an endless buffet of different things which is a great value. Try this place out for sure!
(5)Adrienne C.
Good, solid Shanghai-nese food. I've been looking for somewhere like this ever since we moved to Philly - very happy. The goods: XLB (they are HUGE and super filled with fatty soupy goodness), pork and chive steamed dumplings (they taste "almost" as good as my mother-in-law's...so homey), shen jian bao (more flavorful than most that I've had) The oks: jia jia mien (noodles were good but sauce was kinda meh) and the onion pancake...it's uber thin/crispy, while we prefer ours more thick and flaky. Yeah, it looks like crap on the outside and it's in an underpass...but honestly, to me that is a sign of a good Asian restaurant. It's super cheap - for 6 dishes split between 4 people, the bill came out to $33.
(4)Tammi T.
My colleague who's a local brought us here for the awesome xiao long bao. It's not a fancy place but really good and juicy xiao long bao at a reasonable price. Will definitely come here again the next time I'm in town.
(4)Brandon D.
Saw the LINE COOK ACTIVELY VOMIT while working on the line. She didn't miss a beat: spat on the floor to clear her mouth, then got right back to cooking- no hand washing, sanitizer, bathroom breaks; nothing. I've lived and traveled in Southeast Asia for three years, ate peasant food in Nepal, and pride myself in eating at places run by cooks who practice questionable hygiene. This was entirely different. Pros: Price is okay; probably don't have to tip. Cons: Vomiting cook, flavor wasn't anything to write home a bout..
(1)Julie C.
This place has amazing dumplings. You can not go wrong with their steamed soup pork dumplings. They are so juicy and delicious. The food comes out quick and it is always great. Also, the scallion pancakes are my favorite amongst all others that I have had in University City. I know what you're thinking...alright, what's so great about scallion pancakes? The ones at Dim Sum Garden are layered and are not thin, yet still deliver the flaky texture that is a necessity for scallion pancakes. The ambience in there isn't the best and its in desperate need of a revamp, but it doesn't seem to matter too much to me because the food is great.
(4)Grace S.
So the owner of the truly original DSG contacted me and it appears this storefront was sold to a new owner last year who renamed the place "Original Dim Sum Garden" (which I admit is misleading). I'm migrating my review to the new storefront which is apparently located at 1020 Race Street.
(1)Justin D.
First impressions were a little unnerving: the seating area consists of about 7-8 tables with an unusual fro-yo section in front of the counter. I ordered a bubble tea to start off and I have to say, not good. While I got a traditional milk bubble tea with pearls, I saw the man behind the counter putting the powdered base into the plastic container. The taste was similar: chalky and unappealing. So sad because milk bubble tea is one of my most favorite beverages and it is so easy to make. I ordered the sesame seed chicken for dinner. My friends gushed on the soup but the chicks was quite sweet. The rice tasted like minute rice, right out of the microwave. Not a bad experience. I was filled up and took respite from the cold. But it could be better.
(3)Neal C.
I really wanted to love this place-- authentic Shanghainese food, really friendly owners, and very reasonable prices, but unfortunately I was not very impressed with the flavor of the pan-fried pork buns (sheng jian bao) or steamed pork buns (bao zi). The bao zi were actually frozen, which was very disappointing that they don't make it fresh, but the pan fried buns were made fresh (it took roughly fifteen minutes, which was fine with me). That being said, there wasn't too much pork or soup within to really stand out, so I ended up tasting more dough than anything else. The bottoms of the buns were very crisp like you'd want, but it was very oily as well. Maybe I should have just gone with the XLB, but it's so hard to find anyone who sells pan fried pork buns with soup, so I couldn't resist. It's worth the visit to chat with the owners and enjoy authentic shanghai cuisine, but I suppose you should try the XLB or other dim sum items.
(3)Gina P.
My favorite Dim Sum place in Philly. Always recommend the soup pork dumplings! And you really can't beat the price!!!
(5)Lisa B.
Went here for a late meal on Labor Day holiday. In summary: good was great, service was deplorable. The food was flavorful, quick to arrive and generous for the price paid. Between two hungry people we ordered the pork soup dumplings (large and plump, good but not outstanding broth), stewed chicken over rice (deliciously tender and juicy, served with baby bok choy), ma po tofu noodles in soup (very good) and Chinese broccoli cooked with garlic (standard, but good and fresh). However. The service. Rude and belligerent to the point where I actually thought the server was joking. Unfortunately not. We had difficulties asking about the types of noodles they had (apparently the fact that we didn't know the Chinese names for a flat rice noodles vs vermicelli rice noodles was something we had to decipher for ourselves instead of him just indicating which one we could get, this took maybe five minutes to negotiate with him). At the end of our meal we asked for the rest to take home, which they gladly complied with, however when we requested a second plastic fork they refused. I mean, what does a plastic fork cost you, a penny!?! I couldn't believe it. Anyway. All up our bill was around $32 including a tip the server didn't really deserve. This was for a huge meal with leftovers. Amazing value, shocking service. If you want a quick snack on the go then it's a good location. Just be prepared for service that's ambivalent at best, straight up rude at worst.
(2)Dalisai N.
Plenty of selection for soups and other fare. The juicy buns are pretty good but I found I did not love them as much as other yelpers - probably because I prefer a lighter broth. Service was good to - this is the kind of place where you will be seated, served water and asked for your order within moments of walking through the door. Good place for a quick lunch if you're in the area and don't need a lot of ambiance/scenic location.
(3)Danielle P.
I think that the food at Dim Sum Garden is exquisite. Every time I go there, I get the pan fried juicy buns and tofu curry soup for $10. Though the restaurant is located under a bridge, the food is still better than anything you'll get at a Chinese take-out place.
(4)Nancy L.
3.5 stars. Decent XLB for Philly but if you've had them anywhere else, these are somewhat disappointing. There wasn't much soup inside and it was a little bland. I also like them with the slivers of julienned ginger this place didn't provide. The pan fried dumplings are cooked better and you can get them in a variety of fillings. The scalion pancakes were golden brown, crispy and tasted pretty good. Chicken and broccoli over rice is better at panda express. The chicken was oddly flavored. Seafood chow mein was better. It came with mussles, shrimp, fish cakes and the noodles were nicely soft, thick and chewy.
(3)Vicky T.
I have actually already written a review for this place but unfortunately Yelp Team took it off because they (or someone) found it offensive even though I was greatly humiliated by the people working in this restaurant. I probably did use some bad words when I was very mad about my experience. I apologize for that. But I'm going to write this review to speak up about my bad experience there again. This time I'll be as courteous as possible. So the first thing I did when my friend and I entered the restaurant was to go use the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom, a guy working there just kept banging on the door and yelling at me. I was very certain that he wasn't a customer because I saw him working behind the counter. And I was very certain I was not in anyone's way because I didn't see anyone else waiting to use the bathroom. I was already feeling very humiliated at that point. After I left the bathroom, I walked over to my friend and saw that she was very upset. Apparently while she was waiting for me, the lady working there kept asking her to order food. My friend didn't know about Chinese food as well as I do so she actually didn't know what to order. But that lady just kept pressuring her. She also overheard the people working there bad mouthing me and complaining that I was taking too much time in the bathroom. First of all, there was no one else waiting for the bathroom. Second of all, I was seriously not taking that long. And it's natural for girls to take longer time than guys. They were speaking in Chinese. But my friend is Chinese-American so she does understand a lot of Chinese. I was going to order some Shanghai Pork buns from them before I stepped in the restaurant because Shanghai Pork buns have always been one of my favorite food. But both my friend and I were very upset about what happened so we decided to leave. The lady saw us and screamed at us "are you just going to leave?! Seriously?! You're not going to order anything?!". She was acting all mean and rude so we were basically forced to order some pork buns to go. Then I heard her saying to her coworker in Chinese "these girls are so shameless!". Apparently she didn't know that we both knew Chinese. I was very very mad at her! I confronted her afterward. She immediately changed her attitude and started to suck up to us after she realized we understood everything she said. But this feeling of humiliation and anger I got from them stayed strong in my mind. Their pork buns are pretty good I admit. But their customer services are too terrible. It's more than terrible. I have never been humiliated by restaurants workers before this. And I didn't do anything wrong! They simply do not have any idea what customer service is! Even though it is their job to serve! Some of you might argue for them that it was just a misunderstanding. They did it because they thought I was just there to use their bathroom. But they didn't have to keep banging on the bathroom door while I was in it and yell at us. And they shouldn't have said all those rude things about us behind our back. Most importantly, as their customers we should have the rights to decide whether we want their food or not! Not being forced into ordering from them. Apparently to these people all that matters is making money. They don't have the slightest respect for their customers! I don't care that their pork buns are pretty good anymore. I will never go back there again!
(1)Sylvia C.
I don't know what drew me to the place. I had not read it's review on yelp. I just walked in out of the blue. Must have been the neon lights at the entrance that hypnotized me because anyone who didn't know anything about this place would never walk in. Yes, the decor is that cheesy. For those of you who know what I am talking about, it looks like one of those Chinese-run places that serve fried chicken and donuts. I wasn't particular about what to order so I just got whatever the waitress recommended. Crab xiao long bao, zha jiang noodles, and marinated cold cucumber. I was quite surprised that there was authentic shanghainese cuisine on the menu. Off to a good start. The crab xiao long bao is really juicy /brothy. 5 stars. The skin was perfect. Thin enough to not be doughy but strong enough to not break and hold all the broth. It's also a great deal at $5.75 for 8. It was way better than Shanghsi Joe's in NYC. Now the bad. The zha jiang mein tasted like crap, not how it is suppose to taste. Zha Jiang is made from black bean sauce and sweet dark sauce. This tasted like Chinese 5 spice version of spaghetti bolognese. The marinated cucumber was not what I had expected but it was decently good. It seemed more like a stir fry dish. In summary, worth a try. Don't let the bus alley scare you away. I am headed there again tomorrow to try the onion scallion pancake. Update. The scallion pancake is thin, crispy, and greasy. Good, but I will probably die from a heart attack if I eat too much of it. The scallion flavor is fragrant and I can taste it. I would give a B+.
(4)Joe B.
Vicky: You're too whiney. We're not here to hear about your awkward encounters. All we care about is the food. Sometimes, it's all perception. Maybe the owners there perceived you as snotnoses just there to use the bathroom. Deal with it like an adult instead of sounding like a whiney crybaby. While I've had a few bum steers there (why it only got a 3 star from me), they do some things very well. The pork juicy bun is superb. I've always found the people there, who appear to be largely family members, to be friendly and helpful. Most others that have gone there have liked it, which diminishes Vicky's credibility. Maybe the problem is just Vicky.
(3)Vivian L.
Always pass by this place because of the down store front. But one day decided to try this place after reading the reviews from yelp. The Xiao Long Bao is a must try, juicy and super hot. The service is always fast. Downside: ask for the sweet sticky rice and sweet glutinous rice dumpling in sweet rice wine , the server said both take too long to make, seweed salad: sold out. Come back another day, and server says the same thing again. If they can't make those dishes please don't list on the menu. Overall, ordering their dumplings and other prepared fast cooked food gives you less trouble to deal with the servers.
(4)Alan L.
Don't judge the place by what it looks like, the food here is very tasty! Also it's a sit down restaurant i.e. you don't pick your dishes off of carts. The xiao long bao are delicious and very soupy!
(5)April D.
I think that this place is a little overhyped. But there doesn't seem to be many dim sum places in Philadelphia, so I will give them credit for that. This place does have pretty good soup dumplings. But the har gow and the siu mai were not to my liking. The shrimps in the har gow were tiny, not plump and juicy, like I'm use to. It was like there was one or two tiny shrimps in a har gow wrapper that fell apart so fast because it wasn't crafted very well. I'm not use to having so much rice in a siu mai, so much that I hardly noticed the meat. To me siu mai has always been very juicy and meaty. And both items were just a little overpriced. But I'm from San Francisco, and dim sum is super cheap since there are so many dim sum spots in competition with each other. Despite all that I really like the sauces. They saved the day. The ginger sauce and the dumpling sauce are my favorite. They really fix up the taste of the har gow and the siu mai, or probably any other dumpling you aren't fond of. If I was ever in Philly again, I would mostly likely go there to buy any dim sum even if it was average tasting, and I would douse it in one of the sauces.
(3)Roy C.
Great Dim Sum. Soup Buns are a must have, hot and tasty! Service was good, eager to please. Ignore the cafe style interior and just enjoy fine dim sum.
(4)Jen H.
Most of the food here is on par if not sub par but the juicy buns are definitely worth getting. The service wavers depending on who you get as a server but it's not exactly a place of luxury so it really doesn't phase me when I get a crap waiter/waitress. Overall, it's a dingy place that serves pretty cheap, decent food. Go to try the juicy buns. Oh, and on a side note, I do also enjoy the tomato and egg over rice dish.
(3)Jonathan P.
Finally made it around to trying the famous Dim Sum Garden, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Didn't get too crazy with the menu selection; general tso's chicken, pork and scallion steamed dumplings, and pork dim sum. It took them ten minutes to have everything ready for pickup....somehow every Chinese restaurant manage to cook any size order in fifteen minutes or less, I love it. The steamed dumplings were good and cooked perfectly, the general tso's chicken was mushy and didn't taste that good (had a feeling that would be the case at a place that specializes in dumplings). And the pork dim sum made up for everything, they were literally the best dumplings I've ever had. The broth inside was filled with flavor and the pork was juicy. The prices are low for what's in the area, along with the quality and great tasting dumplings being served. Stick with the dumpling menu and you can't go wrong. So happy I live close by and can make this one of my regular spots.
(4)Kevin S.
SOUP DUMPLINGS!!! Ok I must admit that I was unsure about this place. Being next to the Chinatown Bus Station and the most disgusting Wawa in Philly made me not even think of trying it. But I did at a friends recommendation...I'm so glad I did. Try the soup dumplings and cucumber salad.
(5)Caleigh R.
Not my favorite dim sum experience. We are big fans of sticky buns--and they didn't have these on the menu. The gal who helped us was very sweet and helpful. She was very informative when it came to how we should eat the soup dumplings. She also suggested the 3 sauces in the middle. Of the two soy colored sauces (still don't know what they were) I liked the sweeter one the most. I love my hot sauce as well! We had: Crab/pork soup dumplings-new experience. Interesting. Still love my sticky buns more. Scallion pancakes were my favorite Brocollini- flavorful and not too greasy Panfried pork buns -meh---same things as the soup dumplings, only fried. Could have done without these. Miss our sticky buns!!!
(3)Jonny R.
My favorite spot for dim sum. There is not cart service, which I think must be a problem from some folks. But I enjoyed my options, and liked seeing a menu and ordering that way, too. It's unsuspecting, since it's in the bus tunnel-actually think that's a plus in some ways. I'll update the review with recommendations next time I'm there.
(3)Jack B.
Best deal in the city for a cheap, quick go-to lunch or dinner. The first time I tried this place for lunch I came back later that day for dinner. The steamed pork juicy buns are phenomenal.
(5)Michael P.
Very weak, If your an actual Dim Sum fan, I would definitley not reccomend this place. Its small, the selection of food is not that good & the food itself was pretty low quality. The Shumai was terrible, and the service was not good. Looking for quality dim sim? go somehwere else.
(1)Clint W.
As much as it pains me to say it, my initial impression of Dim Sum may have been premature, a little influenced by the thrill of the chase. Like those guys that are obsessed with the girl until they get them, who once the primal chase is called off, find themselves disillusioned. After our first good experience at Dim Sum, my girlfriend and I returned with excitement. We knew what we were in for: good, inexpensive food, uncleaned tables, and a terse waitstaff. The Pork Juicy Buns, I must say, were just as delicious as the last time. But something had changed in the character of the place. Perhaps with all the positive reviews and the talk of Chef Jose Garces treating his family to Dim Sum made them complacent. They were out of the first 5 dishes we wanted (General Tso's, sesame, sweet & sour, etc etc). My girlfriend settled for some chicken and broccoli, that proved so fatty as to be almost inedible, and I ordered spring rolls along with the Pork Juicy Buns. After bringing our food, the waiter disappeared outside and never returned. We tried to pay but they said they'd bring the bill (another long wait ensued). Finally, after 15 minutes of empty time, we received our check, paid, and departed. Even though we knew to expect poor service and questionable food, our disappointment was beyond minor discomforts. For example, I love food but I'm not positive that the chicken and broccoli actually consisted of chicken. Why would they be out of every other chicken dish except that one? It didn't taste much like chicken and it certainly didn't look like it. I'm not saying Dim Sum doesn't have some excellent specialties. For a snack consisting of the Pork Juicy Buns, I might return. For a dinner, on the other hand, I'd sooner pay a little extra and order General Tso's from Empress Garden, the jewel of Chinatown.
(2)Edward M.
Any place that, in an impromptu moment of hunger in the area, I decide to go to and - after eating the meal - am glad I did, deserves four stars. Mmmm, tasty hot seaweed soup.
(4)Wes D.
My wife and I lived in Asia for a few years, and believe that most of the food items that we tried at Dim Sum Garden reflected a delicious authenticity. Their xiao long bao was outstanding, and their beef noodle soup brought us back to Taiwan. The atmosphere was a little dingy, but it kind of gave off that secret hole-in-the-wall feel, and we felt like we were expecting that going in. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we felt like the prices were commendable. We spent $24 for xiao long bao, onion pancakes, beef noodle soup, friend dumplings, and milk tea. They provided glasses of water immediately, which although it would've been nice to have complimentary hot tea, we were surprised to have free drinks. Our party of three walked away full and thrilled to have found a decent xiao long bao restaurant. Definitely going back...
(4)Kevin A.
DUMPLING HEAVEN After cheesesteak overload I needed some Chinese food to restore balance to the force. Thank goodness for Dim Sum Garden. As soon as I walked in I knew this place was going to be great. It's a no-nonsense, no-frills, high turnover place that does what they do very well. Here's what you need to order. Trust me. -XLBs aka pork soup dumplings (Attn:XLB snobs from LA - just shut it...no one wants to hear about how much better ____ in LA/Arcadia/San Gabriel/ is) -Pork & chive potstickers; perfection, I could have eaten a dozen by myself. -Zhajiang mein; fried noodles with ground pork and gravy. (Note: Beware of the soy sauce bottles - they tend to send a squirt when you turn them over)
(5)Mihiri w.
Confession: I am obsessed with their soup dumplings! The filling is so delicious and love the burst of all the soupy goodness. I also like the the pan-seared( don't know it's actual name) soup dumplings. They are more chewy in texture and aren't as " soupy". Their shrimp dumplings are good, typical dimsum kind, nothing out of the ordinary. I refuse to give them 5 stars because they have a $20 credit care limit, which is very inconvenient for a girl who rarely carries any cash.
(4)Ming W.
Best xiao long bao I've had outside of Shanghai! These people really get it right with the dimsum. Also tried the shumai and "sheng jian bao" which were also on point. The surrounding area seems to be a slight bit ghetto but was worth the trip. Would definitely come back over and over.
(5)Marina C.
Read the great reviews and I haven't had Xiao long bao in so long, I had to go before I left Philly. My last meal before my train back to NY and yeah I chose this weird looking place... My friend was all grumpy that day and didn't feel like eating anything at the Reading Terminal Market. Him not eating, there's definitely something wrong. Soup fixes everything! We ordered the juicy pork buns, scallion pancake, fried dumplings, and a beef brisket noodle soup. Their mango smoothie was really too sweet for me, but the hot tea was nice. It was so cold outside! I never dress for the weather.. Anyway... Pork dumplings were pretty good. They were really flavorful. Joe's Shanghai's dumplings aren't really better. I think I prefer these since I waited for the dumplings to cool a bit before burning myself and there was still plenty of yummy soup inside. And yes... fat gives it flavor. I've never ordered scallion pancakes at a chinese restaurant before. Crispy and light. Good, but nothing special. The beef brisket noodle soup was huge. It's easily for 2 people. The noodles tasted really light and fresh. The beef was flavorful. Probably the best beef brisket noodle soup I've had, not that I order it too much. We managed to eat practically everything for only $25. That's insane. We were so full, I felt like we needed to walk it off, all the way to 30th St.. Now that was really crazy. lol
(4)Jess K.
Yum yum yummmm. A Chinese coworker brought us all here on our last day in Philly for work. She ordered the food in Chinese so it was a big surprise when it all started arriving. My favorite thing was the scallion pancakes but I also really liked the pork break type rolls she ordered. I didn't LOVE the mushy dumpling type things with seafood in them. The noodles with seafood were delicious. The food was really greasy and I felt vaguely ill after lunch but it was worth it. We all ate as much as we could fit into our stomachs for $10 each including tip. Can't beat that!
(4)Ilana R.
LOVE this place . Delicious food, extremely friendly and helpful service by all staff, always asking if you would like to try new things and recommend - and its' always wonderful! Their soup dumplings, bok choy, scallion pancakes, soups, all are delicious, cheap and fast! Nothing better for a cold day
(5)michael G.
Hi i'm emmett i'm 9.The dumplings rule! They have really good scallion pancakes. my brother liked it a lot and he's only 5! The best is the dumplings but they also have "chicken on stick" i really don't no why its called that. I'm ethan and i'm 5 and i like all the food except the scallion pancake.
(4)Elizabeth S.
We ended up here because the Hilton Inn was right across the street. My bf ordered Shu Mai but it wasn't what he expected. I think he said it was Cantonese style not Mandarin or vice versa. I wish we tried other things but I was pretty full and he just wanted something small. There aren't really enough tables in this tiny place. Overall, it was ok clean
(3)Catherine K.
Ever since Ian and I tried soup dumplings for the first time in Singapore, we've seeked these delicious things everywhere we go. We found a fantastic place in San Fran and it is our mission to find a place in Philly. I had heard that Dim Sum garden was the place to go for xiao long bao and for the most part I was satisfied. I'm not sure if they make the wrapping homemade but it was a little thicker than the traditional ones that I've had. Despite the thicker wrapping, I enjoyed the flavors of the dumpling and will definitely visit the place again. The staff was incredibly nice, helpful, and quick to serve us our food. I will continue to search for yummy xiao long bao, but this place will satisfy me for now.
(4)Jennifer W.
Probably my favorite place in Chinatown. I was very depressed after the closing of the Lakeside Chinese Diner. But, a colleague introduced me to this little gem. Ok, so it is behind a bus station and it isn't classy or sophisticated. BUT so delicious. There are so many great things here. We had a 6 person business lunch here for $45. Yes, $45 and we were STUFFED. I recommed- * The Shanghai Steamed Buns * Vegetable Steam Buns * Scallion Pancakes (the best I have ever had anywhere) * Dumplings * Stewed Chicken and Rice and the Vegetarian/Tofu dish (I can't remember the name at the moment). It is all delicious. I can't say enough great things about this place. Just a piece of Dim Sum heaven!
(5)James T.
Flew into Philly on the 4th of July and couldn't get my usual post flight meal at Tony Luke's (closed for the holiday). I searched for "pork" near city hall ( I've heard of a rival pork sandwich place in the Reading Terminal Market and thought that this would be a good opportunity to give it a try...also closed for the the holiday!? A major tourist destination and it's closed on one one of the busiest tourist days in Philly...and they say we west coasters are "laid back") and this name popped up. You don't usually think of flying from SF to Philly for dim sum, but SF isn't really very strong in the XLB department. So I wanted to give it a try. Not a mistake. The place isn't as pretty as say Din Tai Fung in Arcadia, but I think the food is as good, cheap, and the people working there are are super nice. Had kind of a weird mix of things because it was super hot (well, coming from SF 90 degrees feels like the "end of days", or what ever ...dang what was that thing that those wackos expected to happen a couple of months ago...the recycling? the r- something, sorry I have a hard time keeping up with all the wacky shit the snake fondlers dream up). But to get back on track it was all really good, cheap, divey, and I was super happy with the place, thus the 5 stars. Oh, and please excuse the abuse of the word "super".
(5)David C.
Four stars are specifically only for the steamed buns, which are really good, and the price, which is really cheap. Every other aspect of this place, from ambiance to basically all the other dishes they offer, is not good. But since you can have just the steamed buns, it's great.
(3)Shannon O.
I love going here for brunch and getting an order of soup dumplings and the pork and chive pan-fried dumplings. It costs less than $15 (with tip!) and feeds two people to the gills. DELICIOUS.
(5)Paige W.
I'm sorry to rain on this Yelp parade, but this one disappointed me enough to pull up the Yelp account after a bit of a hiatus. Not that I should be listening to Craig Laban, who rarely sides with my palate, but after another endorsement from a food reviewer friend I had to check this place out. I can live with the shabby setting, and can even look past the steel wool carelessly tossed into a corner to keep away the bus terminal critters. But I was really expecting some killer street food. It lived up to the cheap part, but that's about it. As someone who doesn't eat beef or pork, it shouldn't be terribly hard to find something on a dim sum menu considering that I'll eat chicken, seafood, and just about everything else. But this wasn't really dim sum after all. No carts stacked with yummy round things - just a menu which reads reads like a swine slaughterhouse. I asked the waitress if there was anything on the menu without pork and she pointed to the beef. So much for the soup dumplings I'd heard so much about, but my husband was able to try them and said they were pretty good. I ordered some vegetable buns which were pretty good with the sweet dumpling sauce on the table. But things quickly went downhill with a bowl of soup the consistency and color of phlegm. And , no, not egg drop soup where that is expected. This was some sort of indescribable goo dotted with raisins. It was just like the dish the mother served in "Better Off Dead "which slid off the plate. The noodle dished came out smelling strongly, and not in a good way. Fortunately they didn't taste quite as bad, but that isn't saying very much. I liked the consistency of the homemade noodles, but the chicken was clearly that ubur-cheap stock, cut haphazardly with no concern for bone, fat, or otherwise. In fact, when it came out I was pretty sure they had mistakenly given me beef. But it was chicken after all, akin to the mall-food-court-grade chicken-on-a-stick but minus the deliciously sweet secret food court sauce. So maybe there is more there for the pork eaters who can savor those illustrious soup dumplings. But for me, and my notoriously not-picky partner, the only time that terminal will see me is on the next Chinatown bus to New York.
(2)G Z.
This is not the most glamorous place to eat, but overlook that and try the handmade xiao long bao (Shanghai steamed buns). Having lived in Shanghai, these are the most authentic you'll get in Philly (if you can even find them anywhere else). The vegetable steamed buns, steamed pork & chives dumplings, and scallion pancake are all just as fantastic, handmade, authentic goodness.
(5)C'Anne W.
Yum! More Shanghai style than traditional Hong Kong style. Very tasty and available at 3 in the afternoon! Our party of 10 thoroughly enjoyed it. (Some of us have lived in HK, and some of us are Asian!)
(4)Cage H.
Shockingly good soup dumplings for a visually unprepossessing hole-in-the-wall. I was struck by the contrast between the reviews of the food and appearance of the restaurant, having walked past it several times during my stay at the nearby Hilton for a conference. The newspaper review prominently posted in their window is also misleading, as it spends much of the review lamenting their lack of a gas grill. I went there with several colleagues after the conference had ended and we ordered an assortment of dumplings and noodle dishes that were mostly excellent and incredibly cheap (less than $10 per person for lunch). The shumai and the soup dumpling stand out. The latter may have been the best soup dumlings I've had (heresy, I know, for someone who grew up going to Chinatown in SF and who now drives to San Gabriel because he won't deign to frequent most of the ostensibly "Chinese" restaurants in west LA). They had a tremendous amount of very flavorful broth inside, delicate dough, and nicely chewy filling. The shumai were big, half-open purses of steamed dough stuffed with a salty-sweet blend of sticky rice and minced pork. We also had some shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes (that the waitress strongly recommended; to be fair, I've had scallion pancakes in at least a half-dozen otherwise great Chinese and Korean restaurants and they never do much for me; I can think of many better ways to spend the calorie content than on a lump of fried dough with a couple scallions--something stuffed with shrimp or pork or mushrooms, for example). A vegetarian friend ordered a noodle dish with cubes of dried and fried tofu, which was great. Service was pretty good, and as noted, the meal itself was incredibly cheap. Overally, I'd say that if you're not concerned about ambience & décor, and are concerned about price, this would be an excellent choice. Some of the dumplings compare favorably with great dim sum places in San Francisco (I can't speak to New York, but I'd want to know how Americanized are given a certain New York reviewer's reference points).
(3)Le Raccoon X.
dim sum garden is the best! so delicious & affordable! i make a point to not eat out often, so i've never really enjoyed a relationship with a restaurant that involves face recognition & meaningful greetings. but the lovely ladies of DSG recognize me. and they are lovely & always ready to serve my "usual": 1 order of soup dumplings (#1 suffices) & 1 order of scallion pancakes. there have been many occasions when i required 2 orders of dumplings. and once, after a particularly exhausting day at work and taiko class, i consumed 3 orders of dumplings and 2 orders of scallion pancakes. i still weigh 115lb. i've tried the "juicy buns" at sakura and the magic kingdom in philly chinatown as well as joe shanghai in manhattan chinatown, but none of them can beat DSG's dumplings. the main difference lies in the dumpling sauce & hot pepper. (the ginger sauce is yucky, but hey, whatever floats your boat) ohhhh. (this is the sound that homer simpson makes when he drools) if you can't handle spiciness, have no fear! the dumpling sauce alone is still amazing! the dumplings are soft & succulent. full of fat, yes, but delicious, almost-worth-dying-for fat. to avoid breaking their delicate skins, i often pick them by the nubs, place them on my soup spoon, pick 'em up again and rub their bottoms in my sauce & pepper mixture, then promptly replace on my soup spoon. then i swoop in for the kill. the scallion pancakes are crispy and pair oh so perfectly with the dumplings. DSG serves many other dishes, but i've never been able to wean myself off the xiaolongbao. my friends & colleagues have always been pleased with their rice & noodle dishes, so go ahead & explore! but no matter what, definitely try #1 &/or #2!
(5)Pearl W.
This is my first review ever but I have to share so others know that we (my 5 year old daughter) found a live worm, it was not even dead, in the Xiao long bao or Shanghai dumpling. After that we lost our appetite but did not make a scene and tried to eat the other items we had ordered. The waitress took the dish with the live worm away with a sorry and that was it - like it happens often. So when we got our bill they didn't charge us for the order with the worm but I felt we should get at least a discount or a dish for free or really the entire meal for free. So when I went up to the counter to pay I requested for ONE dish free and got excuses. She said that the worm was live so it must have come from the table because it would have died during the cooking process. After trying to explain that we lost our appetite after we saw the worm she had the nerve to say that we weren't going to come back anyway so I guess in other words we should pay for the meal. I ended up paying for the meal since it didn't seem worth arguing anymore. I'm more upset at the customer service than the worm.
(1)christina h.
this is by far the best noodle soup i've ever had and ive tried em all. i love noodle soup and just stumbled upon this place hidden in the nook of 11th st. and intersecting dead end cuthbert. right past the bus station. they have 2 different handmade noodles a wide variety of meets and veggies u can add to ur noodles w/ or w/o soup.and homemade steamed dumplings..this is goood food
(5)Steph V.
I skipped out on the Philly cheesesteak experience and settled to satisfy my dim sum craving. Thanks to the handy Yelp app (get it if you don't already do!) I found this grimy gem under a smelly overpass/bridge thing gasping for a sliver of light but offering food stuffs to feed a hungry army. After much consideration, I ordered the soup wonton thingys that everyone had recommended. Funny thing was that our server wasn't able to explain much of the menu. I'm more used to an a la carte kind of dim sum that ordering felt foreign. I don't recommend the fried chicken. Although it was crispy on the outside, the inside was dusty -- as in void of all flavor -- like menopause. And this is just an FYI for all you people who come to Philly for the first time and decide to venture to high rated Yelp restaurants in the boondocks. DO NOT GO ALONE. While we were eating, a cracked out teenager walked in the doorway and was staring at me while swaying back and forth. It was scary! Then, a couple minutes later, he came in and sat at the table behind me and watched us eat. Ugh...I was so uncomfortable. This may not always happen here, but I just had to share that. Overall, I liked the food and brought the food back to the hotel. Nothing to brag about though.
(3)Annie M.
I take it back! When they're on, they are on! hehe YUMMY xiao long bao!
(4)Richard L.
I really like their food! Despite their terrible location, they serve up fresh and delicious Chinese. Yes the dim sum is really good. I'm sorta addicted. Don't let the appearance fool you and yes the Philadelphia Inquierer review was right on!
(4)Mega D.
Vile. Those who work in an open kitchen must be aware that customers can SEE EVERY HORRID THING BEING DONE TO THEIR FOOD. Like, woman preparing my disgusting, overpriced wonton noodle soup: I can see that you are repeatedly blowing your nose and not washing your hands while touching things that I might ingest with your diseased digits. Like, other women preparing pork/ whatever dumplings, I can see that you have decided to forgo the $3 for a box of zip lock bags and have instead opted to store said meat in a CVS bag. That's right, a plastic CVS bag that you get when you buy things like tampons, razorblades, whatever. I am not a germophobe but I would rather not witness a PARADE OF CONTAGIONS while you are preparing food I have paid you money for. Against my better judgment, I was curious to see how this hazmat-soaked soup tasted. As I attempted to corral a dumpling with my chopsticks, it disintegrated into the oily mass of broth, slime noodles and rancid, yellow bok choi. As poor and hungry as I was, I threw this putrid mixture in the trash. In summary, do not go here. For amazing, simple and inexpensive wonton noodle soup, I totally recommend patronizing either Wong Wong at 9th and Race Streets or Wokano at 11th and Washington Streets.
(1)Carl N.
For years I've been driving up to my usual spots in Manhattan and Flushing for my xia long bao fix - not anymore. I've walked past this place so many times but never gave it a second thought on entering until I read about it on one of Yelp's monthly emails. I was hesitant at first, but after reading everyone's reviews and tips I decided to give it a shot. Besides the delicious xia long bao, the dumplings there are excellent as well (pork & chives). My preference is for the steamed dumplings though (fried ones are ok, but probably would have tasted better had I ordered it right after the grill was cleaned). I've gone as often as twice a day for xiao long baos; gluttonous.
(4)Amy H.
The name of this business is very misleading. Don't walk in expecting anything like traditional dim sum. Service is slow and lacking. Your orders will come out one at a time and often with a significant delay. Order the xiao long bao and pass on everything else.
(2)Lisa R.
The soup dumplings are great here. I was taken back by the restaurant setting as I was expecting carts, but the place is small and perfect for casual dining. The sui mai was my least favorite option on the table. The siu mai was not the usual filling. The filling was a mixture of rice and meat. I'm more customed to pork and shrimp mixture, but it was cool to try something new. We also ordered the shrimp dumpling (aka har gow), which was tasty but on the smaller size. As for the service, it was a bit slow for the Monday morning we were there.
(3)june g.
Sometimes, you find delectable delights in places you'd expect least. In my case, that'd be next to the bus depot in Chinatown, in an obscenely bright, but clean restaurant. Craving what I once had in Chinatown in Lima, Peru; I went on a quest to find the closest thing to it here in Philadelphia. After much reviewing, Dim Sum Garden looked to be the best bet, so my Valentine and I ventured out. Upon arriving we were told to sit anywhere, we're brought hot, black tea and handed menus. After much contemplation, we decided on scallion pancakes, shanghai suimai, shrimp dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, wonton soup, and juicy pork buns. I'll save the best for last. The scallion pancakes were light and fluffy, not overly doughy or oily. Yet I'm still hoping to find scallion pancakes where the flavor of the scallions are more present and dominant. The wontons in the soup were freshly homemade and delicious, however, I didn't care for the broth; as the smell of seafood from the seaweed in the soup was slightly overbearing. The shrimp dumplings were good, nothing stood out about them but they were a nice accompaniment to the other dishes. Among my favorites were the savory Shanghi Sui Mai, served hot and steamy. I tasted rice, pork, and is that coconut? I don't know what was in them, but with some dumpling sauce it made a dish to return to. The ginger sauce tasted old and fermented which was my only slight disapointment, as I love ginger and was looking forward to having it as my primary dipping sauce. Between refilled cups of tea, we moved on to our other dishes. The chives were ever present in the succulent pork and chive dumplings. The dough just the right consistency, soft on the tongue and slightly chewy. After reading about the must have 'soup dumplings', they were a nice finish to an already savory, filling meal. Heeding the advice of other soup dumpling eaters, I slowly bit a piece of the dumpling off the top, blew into it to cool the soup, sipped and then savored the pork and juice after devouring the rest of the dumpling. Very tasty yet a bit oily(I take it that's only the natural pork fat), but I'd order it again to share with others, perhaps the crab and pork version next time. And with a $26.00 bill, we'll be back. And that, my fellow yelpers, just about dim sums it up.
(4)Diane C.
All I can say is...YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Dave H. for Yelping about it!
(5)Christina S.
Everything looks different from their photo and the photos posted by other people, almost making me wonder if the owner changed? The skin of the shrimp dumplings was not chewy at all, which was the worst dish of the day. The pan fried pork buns were soupy and nice. The cucumber appetizer was a bit salty but not bad at all. The shui-mai was... hmm... innovative, in a way that I would never order again (but my families who didn't like regular shui-mei, liked their innovative shui-mei lol). I will give them 3-stars because it wasn't bad but I've had better.
(3)S W.
I finally had the chance to try the Xiao Long Bao, and they were really good. I am so happy to finally have a place to get these instead of having to go all the way to NYC. Their noodles were also really good, made in the restaurant, and when I asked the waitress, she said the "dry style" was better than the soup style. I got the dry noodles, and although they were a little salty, they were really tasty. Don't let this place close down, Philly definitely needs more Chinese restaurants than the usual Cantonese style! Next time, I want to try their dumplings and their scallion pancake. Also, as a side note, they do sell their dumplings raw, if you want to take them home and freeze them. Same price as cooked at the restaurant.
(4)John B.
Xiao Long Bao (Soup dumplings!! These are much better than the ones from Joe's Shanghai in NY. Their fried noodles have good flavor (maybe a tad too salty at times) and their soup noodles are a bit blend. But I can give 4 stars just based on their soup dumplings. My favorite things to get: Pork Soup Dumplings, Pork/Crab Soup Dumplings, Beef Noodles without Soup.
(4)Juli M.
The quest for the great Philly Xiolóngbao, also known as soup dumpling, or my night out with my buddy Jim: First off, let me say that my friend Jim and I were poised for a huge let-down from this quest's first conception. In fact, he christened it the GXLBD2010 - or, the Great XiaoLongBao Disappointment of 2010. Our quest was to seek the soup dumpling in Philadelphia's China Town and to find a specimen worthy of our affection and loyalty. We had low expectations as he had previously dabbled in the dark arts of Philly soup dumpling quests and we both felt like we had already had the best soup dumpling on offer in the region in Flushing, Queens at a magic spot known as Nan Xiang where the soup dumplings are made by the hands of angels ( newyork.seriouseats.com/… ). There had been some recent buzz around town, though, that Philly was now home to some spots offering some perfectly fine soup dumplings, so with doubt in our hearts and the memory of Nan Xiang driving us to find soup dumplings closer to home - we set out. It is important to explain what, in our opinion, a soup dumpling should be. It should be a delicate little bag of soup compromised of savory pork (or pork and crab - depending on which kind you order), which is all swimming in delicious broth encased in a delicate dumpling wrapper. The skin of the dumpling should not be too thick, but should be tough enough to contain the soup and meat. The meat to soup ratio is important as you don't want a dumpling that is dry, nor do you want just broth and no meat. The key is balance and you know when it is right. We decided that we would sample every pork soup dumpling we knew to be on offer in China town. We girded ourselves with a cocktail and set off to our first destination: Dim Sum Garden. We ordered the pork soup dumplings and a cucumber salad. The place itself is more cheery inside than one might expect given its location under the Market East "overpass" next to a bus depot. The décor was bright; all was clean and inviting. The tea was good, which we took as a positive omen of things to come. However, when the dumplings arrived, the wrappers were gummy and the insides had a bland pork meatball, not much broth, and some liquefied pork fat that we dubbed "meat goo." We decided that these soup dumplings were not horrible, but nothing in comparison to those on offer in Flushing. In addition, the cucumber salad had seeds in it and the salad was over-dressed in sesame oil and soy sauce. The pieces were unevenly chopped too, which is something that does not affect flavor but does belie the care that the kitchen takes with its ingredients. On a 1-10 scale - these dumplings got a score of 4. See my review of Sang Kee ( yelp.com/biz/sang-kee-pe… ) - our second stop. See my review for Sakura ( yelp.com/bi ...), which won by the way, for our last stop.
(2)Vickie H.
Their soup dumplings (xiao long bao) is amazing and a great deal! This is the best soup dumplings I have had. There is much more flavor in the broth and stuffing than Joe's Shanghai! We ordered the pork dumpling and the pork and crab dumpling.. both were wonderful! We also ordered the pork and chives pan-fried dumplings and scallion pancakes.. great! Amazing flavors! The scallion pancakes are soo addicting because its so crispy and thin. Four delicious dishes for $18.45... What a deal! I'm definitely coming back here again!
(5)Jonathan T.
Okay, I've seen a lot of straight one star "not original DSG, goto 10th and Race" by people, half of them have just one review so I'm going to ignore that. I've heard another side of the story, where the woman who runs the 10th and Race operation had half the stake in the company and decided to spin off and do her own restaurant. To be honest it doesn't make a different to me; if you serve me good food I'm happy, restaurant politics aren't factored in my review! Unfortunately I might still come off as biased when I say I think the "original" Dim Sum Garden makes better xiaolongbaos (soup dumplings) than the new restaurant, at least of late. The preparation is of higher quality with the skin being nice and thin, the meat tender, and the liquid plentiful. Scallion pancakes were solid, just the right amount of greasiness and fried doneness. I also got a cold duck appetizer which was pretty delicious as well. I also appreciate the effort to spruce up the interior of the restaurant. Yes, it's still underneath an overpass that is part of the convention center, but they've replaced the cheap, plastic IKEA tables and chairs with less cheap, wooden but probably still IKEA tables and chairs. They take credit cards whereas the 10th and Race location does not (at least as of a month ago). Don't count out this location. I personally don't care if it's old, new, original or a ripoff ... if somebody were to come up to me and ask for the best soup dumplings in Philadelphia I'd say this restaurant takes the cake [for now]. The only downside is I have to eat more soup dumplings to keep the pulse on both restaurants, poor me :)
(4)Alex P.
It was ok. Its right next to the Wawa and Greyhound bus station. They had a variety of juicy buns and they had bubble tea. It actually wasn't cheap. Each dish was $5-7 for the dim sum. And they didn't have shumai or beef noodles. They noted that they were Shanghai style only, no Cantonese.
(3)Luna A.
being from nyc, i had high expectations for this place... and they exceeded them! i almost wish i could move this place to the city! super quick great service and amazing dim sum.... really not much else to say. make sure you tip these guys they really deserve it.
(5)Chi-Chi S.
my co-teacher/girlfriend usually came here for late night snack when we volunteered as ESL teachers near Chinatown. Their house made noodle is superb, and you can hardly go wrong with anything on the dim sum menu. and the biggest advantage: soooooooo inexpensive, as is the principle of nearly all places in Chinatowns.
(5)Andy N.
Pork, beef and shrimp dumplings all taste the same. They cut the fillings from a solid piece of three colored pre-prepared blob of processed meat. The soup in those juicy dumplings is rather salty. Can only eat four of those. Nothing special here. If anyone thinks this is awesome dim sum has not eaten in los Angeles or d.c.
(2)Nan S.
my worry is there are too much pork fat in the dumplings (all kinds). I am very wary of animal fat in general, although I know a little fat is required for the good taste. Priced very reasonable.
(3)Franz E.
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Is absolutely right. If the nearby drug clinics gave away Dim Sun Garden's soup dumplings as a means for recovery I am sure we would see less drug addicts in the streets. Why? Because these dumplings are super addicting, they are really good, and really cheap. I came into this joint yesterday, and I always walked passed it going to work and disregarded the place because of the restaurant's location, underneath the PA Convention Center inundated by carbon fumes coming from the bus depot directly adjacent to the restaurant. BUT first impressions can definitely be deceiving because once inside the restaurant I found the place very clean, the staff was professional courteous to my questions, and everything on the menu is under $10 (not that it matters because soup dumplings are the draw of this place). I decided to order the pork soup dumplings for $5.25, that's right folks for the price of a McDonald's UN-Happy Meal you get these juicy soup filled dumplings of joy. THE BEST PART IS THE FLAVOR! These dumplings are legit. I mean authentic really flavorful rich pork flavor. I am definitely coming back to this place to try out more of their ridiculously addicting food. I am hooked because as the yelp rating indicates "its as good as it gets" at least in Philly.
(5)reviewer m.
Based on the reviews from Yelp I was interested in Dim Sum Garden. I can confirm that it is located in a slightly seedy location under a bridge/station and the atmosphere is interesting with the neon glow of lights. The interior is pretty dingy and dirty but nothing too out of the ordinary for Chinatown (but we did see a small spider that joined us for lunch ON our table). I would highly recommend this place ONLY for xiao long bow. We had bok choi, beef noodles, eel soup and fried scallion pancakes from here. All the "dim sum' dishes were bland and actually bad. The veggies had no taste and we pretty much added hot sauce to everything. The bows were great. Not as good as this one place called Joes in NY but pretty good. The prices were very good. As mentioned, you can't taste the crab but still good and juicy. I have come back a couple of times and have tried their dishes but from now on, I'm only getting the bows from there. I give it three stars because it's pretty dirty in there.
(3)William S.
Do yourself a flavor and come here for the soup dumplings. Not the crab ones, just the plain jane xiao long bao. And that's it. I repeat: order one xiao long bao, eat, and bid your adieu. You have no other reason to stay. Unless you're waiting for the Chinatown bus.
(4)Raequel S.
i had always walked by this place and wondered... should i? i mean it looked kinda sketchy and all...but last night i met up with friends before going to an awesome Echo & The Bunnymen show at the Troc around the corner and i've become a believer! even though the surrounding area IS very sketchy (and smells like piss all the time) this place is quite bright and clean. the service is okay, though there is a more than slight language barrier. the menu is very interesting and being that they specialize in dumplings and other standard dim sum fare - it'd be a shame if you come in here just for a regular order of fried rice. i wasnt familiar with the food, but i was curious and chose the Napa and Pork Dumplings, and the chicken dumplings. also since i was in a group we shared our orders among each other and i fell in love with the scallion pancakes that my friend had...omg i didnt know how much i loved scallions before i took that first savory bite...sigh... also, another good, no GREAT thing about DSG is that it is BYOB...the tea cups we had were perfect to sip the beer we brought (cause you know we likes to keep it classy like that *wink*), the tea wasnt that bad either though i'm a such a gaijin that i would have liked to have gotten sugar packets to put in it. the most expensive things on the menu were 10.50 and thats for a shrimp entree. you get the dim sum experience without having to flag down a table and much less hassle. they serve chopsticks but you can get a fork if you are unable to use them (looks embarrassingly at her shoes). they have to-go options as well so you can have that a good cheap lunch/supper while you are trapped on a Greyhound or Chinatown bus (both depots very close by) so in conclusion...do NOT judge a book by its cover - forego the wawa hoagie and get your pre-game on at Dim Sum Garden before a Troc show, plus if you polish off your BYO Brews you save $$$ at the bar for overpriced drinks and tips. one of philly's best kept secrets!
(5)Oski B.
As we walked up 11th Street from Market, the first thing I saw was "Wings" in neon in the window and thought that our friendship might be in jeopardy. As we got closer, I realized the restaurant was right next door to one of the Chinese bus terminals and I thought for sure that this would be our last meal as friends. She swore that it would be tasty so I followed her in. Although I glanced at the menu to get a sense of what they ordered, I deferred the ordering to my Taiwanese friend. As a brown friend once told me when we were at a Korean restaurant, "you order here, and I'll order when we got out for Indian." Fair enough. Sadly, we ordered too much food so we started to feel a bit overwhelmed by the end. To make matters worse, our server had forgotten to put our xiao long bao order in so we had to rush through them at the very end as we were already late to meeting some of her friends. We asked the server to cancel our scallion pancake which he didn't give us a hard time about. I look forward to trying it again when we aren't as rushed. For a hole in the wall in a sketchy location, this is a great find. Leaving with our friendship intact was another bonus.
(4)Alicia L.
The dumplings are definitely the highlight here. I enjoyed those and I was very glad that I went with a friend who suggested we order them and split them. However, the rest of my meal was pretty terrible. I didn't see much on the menu that stood out so I played it safe with shrimp fried rice, because its hard to mess up shrimp fried rice you would think. I was wrong; it was tremendously bland and the shrimp were rubbery and overcooked. The restaurant itself also felt kinda dirty, and service was alright until we wanted the bill...it took them forever to bring it to us, and then forever to bring us change. I might go back just to get dumplings, but I would be cautious about ordering anything else.
(2)Lan G.
Love the duck tongue there! :D Also, do try the fried dumplings. They make it well!
(4)Jose A.
My girlfriend loves this place, very good soup dumplings and everything else for that matter, a must see/eat at hole in the wall dumpling spot, love it, love it, love it!
(5)Zachary D.
For decor, Dim Sum Garden gets roughly 0 stars. But, the food is really good. The chicken dumplings are some of the best dumplings I have had in North America. The Bok Choy was well prepared in some tasty butter sauce. The vegetable buns were a bit dry. The vegetable dumplings were good.
(4)Jing G.
I came here again yesterday on my way to NYC and my boyfriend and I had lunch here. This time I ordered the vegetable buns plus the scallion pancakes and the unagi over rice. Everything was less than $5 a plate and it was so delicious and filling. The very same kabayaki unagi over rice in any other Japanese restaurant costs almost close to double the price (unadon).. but here it even comes with some bokchoy on the side! All yummy and in actually we ended up getting way too much food. When I come back, a single order of veggie buns for me and an order of the steamed shanghai dumplings for the boyfriend would be more than enough. That's lunch for less than $10 for two. Can't get much better than that.
(4)Stephanie C.
Even though this place is a hole in the wall, it's the only place I've found in philly to service shanghai dumplings. Luckily, they are delicious! Don't come here if you want the traditional dim sum with carts because you won't get it. This place also serves other Shanghainese food, but for sure you have to try the dumplings. I'm not a fan of the dumplings with crab even though in China it's considered a delicacy. I like the original one. Get Mapo Tofu and Scallion pancake if you are still hungry. Those other two are very good as well! .
(4)Jordan F.
When you first walk by it looks pretty sketchy. But don't let that discourage you. But the food is sooooooo worth it. I sure pigged out I had the scallion pancakes that were so good I kept wanting more. I also had the pork dumplings, the napa cabbage, and the chicken dumplings. They all were tasty fresh and favorly. And I could leave with out getting some noodles I had the spicy beef noodle soup. Tasty beef broth,fresh noodles, green equal heaven. Thank you dim sum garden even thought at first I thought I was in the bus station you are a gem and I hope to dine again soon.
(4)Anne L.
Icky on the outside. Delicious on the inside. Soup dumplings mmmmmm
(5)Michael L.
Delicious food at a reasonable price that came out very quickly. The restaurant is not much to look at but the dumplings make it worthwhile.
(5)Ramen F.
Ambiance: We all know that this is not the prettiest restaurant nor in the nicest location. Granted, you will have to push past the chinatown bus crowd to get into Dim Sum Garden, but you will be happy that you did! The furniture is recognizable as some of the cheapest options that you can find at Ikea, but it serves its purpose. The wall is full of framed pictures of some famous international sights, but there is no real theme. Past the curtains is the bathroom...and a hallway of storage. Service: The service is that of a traditional Asian restaurant where the server is brusque, but it is not meant as an insult. If there is an Asian in your dining group, the server will try to communicate with and through them as much as possible. It can be a bit isolating and annoying. But again, can you blame them? The food comes out quickly and the waitstaff is always so close by (small restaurant) that you can easily flag them over if you need anything. Food: This is the real reason that you come to this place - the food. If you have seen this place and already know the location and aesthetic, it is clear that the food must be good in order to always be so packed. The soup dumplings are the headliner here (with scallion pancake trailing closely behind) and rightfully so. To be honest, it is not worth it to me to pay extra for the seafood soup dumplings because their flavor is very nearly the same as the regular pork ones. Learning how to eat these things is key, otherwise you WILL burn yourself. Be warned that if the soup from the dumpling squirts out on your face, hand, etc - it will be burning hot and quite sticky. Put the soup dumpling into your Chinese spoon, bite off the top, let the dumpling cool,add chili sauce and dumpling sauce on top (this step is optional for you but imperative for me), eat the whole thing like the greedy troll that you are. Their version of dan dan noodles are tasty, but not spicy and cannot hold a candle to Han Dynasty. Their beef noodle soup is just okay. Stick with the headliners. Overall: Get over thinking that you are above this shady location and go to this restaurant, get the soup dumplings and scallion pancakes, thank me later.
(4)Kristin H.
My first soup dumpling experience was not a disappointment, after I figured out the menu. Soup dumplings = buns, apparently. Anyway, dumplings were tasty and came out quick, and there were lots of them. A few too many. And they don't travel well. Next time, I'll split the order with a friend. The scallion pancake was delicious, and good for trying out the different sauces on the table. Quick, cheap, and tasty. I am satisfied.
(3)Joy C.
Legit soup dumplings in the most random, sketchy location. Was pleasantly surprised. I would stay away from the scallion pancakes though. Tasted like the frozen kind you get in the Asian supermarket and barely had any scallions... I would go back and just eat an entire order of soup dumplings.
(4)Dana B.
As mentioned in previous reviews, don't go to Dim Sum Garden expecting that fancy of an atmosphere, because it comes nowhere close to the appearance of your average Dim Sum restaurant, especially given its location (right next to the Chinatown bus stop). However, their menu has plenty of options to satisfy just about everyone, and not only that, the prices are extremely reasonable. $5.75 for 6 shrimp dumplings? Not bad!
(4)Julie W.
Although the owners of this place have moved on to what's now known as THE Dim Sum Garden on Race St., the dumplings here are still delicious! Pork and chives and pork and napa - you can get them panfried or boiled. We've also tried other small dim sum dishes (no carts here); I remember the soup dumplings were pretty good but the spicy tripe was just okay. Come here for quick eat-in or take-out. The atmosphere will likely deter you from entertaining out-of-town guests here, but there's never a wait and the food is very solid for the price. Cash only.
(4)Diana X.
Good soup dumplings, small selection of authentic things on the menu but if you frame it as a typical takeout restaurant, which it sort of appears to be from the outside, this place is incredible. They've got some roast duck which is decent, but I find that their entrees have too large of a portion of rice and fillers and not that much meat or whatever it is you're actually wanting to pay for. Prices aren't what I would consider super cheap either, and you may find yourself with a bill higher than expected relative to the casual look of the place. Their crispy scallion pancakes are also fantastic. They make all their dumplings by hand, and I even saw a lady insert a huge pan of dumplings she'd just constructed into a freezer by my table.
(4)Diraj K.
I used to frequent this place 4 years ago, when they were just a hole in the wall joint under a bridge. I'm very excited, but not the least bit surprised they have succeeded and expanded. The food here rivals, if not exceeds the quality in NYC. As someone who has tried soup dumplings all over the world, including China, I will definitely vouch for this place. Start with the steamed pork soup dumplings, an absolute must here. You can get them pan fried as well, which are also good but after a few, the oil makes me feel sick. You won't go wrong with the scallion pancakes or noodle soup dishes either. Its cash only which is why I docked a star. On the flip side, that's probably why they are so affordable. If you're looking for good shanghai cuisine in Philly, this place is hard to beat.
(4)Gizelle P.
Came in from a long trip on the Greyhound on a muggy day- and this place made me so happy! Waiter was super patient with me, sat me where I wanted to, and my order came fast. This place is a family-run joint, love their relaxed and calm atmosphere. An order of pork soup dumplings was the perfect, not too filling amount for lunch for one person. They were flavorful and served at the perfect temperature so I didn't burn my tongue. And at $6 it's a steal, I know plenty of places that charge $10! After the first bite I was happy to have all 8 to myself :) I wanted to try their scallion pancakes, but I'm just gonna trust them that they're very good. SO glad I found this place!
(5)Moish G.
Been to the Original Dim Sum Garden many, many times, and have brought many friends there to share. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are excellent. Traditional boiled pork and chive dumplings are excellent, too. I've had a few other dishes there, and everything seems to be top-notch quality: rice platters, general tso's chicken, mapo tofu, scallion pancake. ODSG is a clearly a no-frills kind of environment: its location under a parking garage and next door to the Chinatown bus depot, its IKEA furnishings. But it seems clean and orderly. Occasional issues with language, but that's to be expected. They really need to have napkin dispensers on the tables! On my latest visit there (9/7/2015), I ordered the boiled pork and chive dumplings. I happened to be seated so that I had a bird's-eye view into the kitchen. I watched the cook scoop the dumplings out of the boiling water and onto a platter. One of them fell onto the floor. She picked it right up, and I figured she was throwing it away. Alas, no. She popped it back into the vat of boiling water for a half a minute, and popped it back onto the platter. Yum! Look, it's not the worst thing to happen, and it probably happens a helluva a lot more often than we imagine, but of course we typically don't see it. Still, it makes one wonder what other 'short cuts' are being taken in the kitchen, and after the Yang Ming debacle, it makes one think even more.
(3)Loi D.
The food was delicious, but unfortunately the service was really bad. The staff here was completely unorganized. For a restaurant that size there should be more than one person taking orders and seating the guests. Because of this the waitress to our table completely forgot about our order and continued to service people after us. The first thing we ordered was their well known soup dumplings. Before even getting our dumplings other tables were being served theirs. Tables that definitely came in after we did. The staff was so lost at one point we can over hear other tables complaining that they got the wrong order. Tips to help them: Serve your current customers before trying to multitask with seating new ones. The manager needs to help organize the waitress so that the right orders go to the right tables in a timely manner. If the manager can't do this hire a hostess so that it's one less task for the waiter/waitress to handle. Know your own menu. If there's something on the menu that's no longer available, tell the customer that.
(1)Dianna L.
I'm giving this place five stars for the xiao long bao. Definitely the best I've had outside of china. Don't let it's under the bridge location and glass box look keep you from going in and trying the food. Otherwise, you will be missing out.
(5)D K.
Location appears sketchy, located at the periphery of Chinatown. Decor is typically spartan. Had their soup dumplings (it doesn't say "soup dumplings" on the menu so just ask and they'll point them out to you). Nice amount of umami and before you know it, you're popping them in bon bons. Also had the spiced beef noodle (dry). Not spicy at all but still very tasty. When back in Philly, I'll be sure to come back.
(4)Lynn D.
The dumplings are pretty damn good - thank you fellow yelpers. The inside is pretty decent compared to its location - the lime green paint sort of reminds me of a frozen yogurt place. The service is alright - pretty typical. They take your order, take your money, and bring your food out. They aim to do all of these pretty quickly as soon as you approach the counter. There's not really any leeway for small talk (or sometimes general decency and politeness), but it's best not to take it personally. Since the dumplings weren't going to be filling, I ordered the Peking duck noodle soup. Please, PLEASE do not order this. The broth has no flavor, the veggies were droopy, and the noodles are flat, powdery, rubbery, chewy...I just can't. The duck was good, but that's pretty easy to accomplish, being in the Duck Capital of Philly and all.
(3)Yvette W.
Most authentic Shanghai dim sum in the city. Reminds me of home! I love coming here on a lazy weekend. It's a great little unassuming place underneath the convention center with amazing traditional Chinese "dim sum". The food here are the types you can find along the street carts or in small "dian xing" restaurants in China. Get the Shanghai soup dumplings and the pan fried dumplings. They are by far the best I've had in the states. The fillings are filled with perfect about of pork to fat ratio. The soup doesn't get too oily. They don't have the rolling carts for dim sum but that's more a Cantonese tradition and this is a Shanghai-nese place. Also try the turnip cake and the wonton soup.
(5)Christina K.
The only place I've eaten at in Philadelphia that has good xiao long bao, or makes it for that matter. Every time I come here, its good and its consistent. Service is fast and everything always tastes fresh, not frozen. Pretty much a hole in the wall in a delightful location (sarcasm) but they do their job well at delivering good food to many patrons a day. Usually order the same thing every time with variation from here and there. Xiao long bao with pork, or crab meat and pork - soupy and delicious Pan fried juicy pork buns - meaty and crispy Scallion pancake - crunchy and addicting Pan fried chive and pork dumplings - crispy outside and moist filling Shanghai wonton soup - flavorful broth with seaweed and tender wontons Never had a disappointing meal here and love either the vinegar or dumpling sauce mixed with red chili oil. Although the outside looks sketchy and like a corner store Chinese take out restaurant, it is definitely worth it.
(5)Carrie C.
As you have already probably heard from other Yelpers, their xiao long bao completely rocked my world. They are perfectly made with nicely tender yet chewy skins thick enough to hold the soup and meat inside, the pork filling and soup are amazingly flavorful...pretty much everything about this soup bun is perfect. I would recommend sticking with the classic pork-only xiao long bao, as the one with the crab has a barely noticeable crab flavor. I have tried a few other of their dishes, none of which rocked my socks the way the xiao long bao did. The beef noodle soup was only okay--a little bit too salty for my taste. The wonton noodle soup was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. The chive and pork dumplings were a little lacking in the flavor, but still yummy. I would recommend trying their pumpkin cakes (on the specials board) if you're a fan of lotus paste because these little cakes are chewy, sweet, and delicious. Overall, hands down, the best, most satisfying, most comforting meal I have found thus far in Philadelphia. I always get something else along with the xiao long bao just for variety, but the soup buns are what I truly crave from this place, and they will keep me coming back frequently.
(4)John B.
Probably not the best place for lunch on a really hot day -- the walk back to the office was a little uncomfortable after snarfing down the amaaaaazingly good food. Never been disappointed, and I'll sacrifice a little comfort on the walk and a notch in the belt for this place anytime though. My one concession to the heat was that I didn't get a big bowl of soup this time. Soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are awesome as always, the turnip cakes were delicious as well, and I enjoyed sitting where I could watch them making food in the kitchen. The place looks divey from the outside, near the Greyhound terminal. The food is NOT divey at all. Trust me (and the other reviewers).
(5)Josephine L.
Soup dumpling review only: Stop #2378 of long weekend Philly food tour brought me and the boy here to try what Yelpers proclaim the best soup dumplings in the city. Now, of course, I have not had every soup dumpling in the city, so I cannot be unfair to the other little soup dumplings and say Dim Sum Garden's is the best. It is, however, on par with the best soup dumplings I've had in Boston and some decent ones I've had in Toronto (Asian food heaven). Not as good as Taiwan, but is anything? (The answer is no). The pork and crab meat dumplings are larger than most I've had and the soup is hot and flavorful without being too greasy. The filling is tender and succulent and the skin is thick and chewy. Eight of these babies in and you'll be ready to pop soup yourself.
(5)Mark L.
Love this place for its soup dumplings (i.e. shanghai steamed buns). Forget the rest of the menu, location and ambiance. Just go chill out with some friends and enjoy. Perfect place to frequent with the SO for wknd brunch or late nite. Also perfect for a quick no-frills meal place in chinatown/convention center area. I may be biased because this was one of the first places to have decent soup dumplings in Philly five-six years ago. Other places may carry it now but I'm still partial to the no-frills original.
(4)Jennifer T.
I have always made fun of the florescent "WINGS" and "DIM SUM" signs in the window when walking to RTM and Chinatown... this place looks like a complete joke from the outside. Then, in 2008, I read the Craig LaBan article praising soup dumplings at this sketchy place, located in the PA Convention Center underpass. Upon further investigation, aka the google, I realized soup dumplings were a big deal in NYC, but impossible to find in Philly. Dim Sum Garden is small, bright, and Ikea-filled. The two employees that are always there are SUPER friendly. They love hearing compliments and take an empty dish away with a smile, knowing they've filled your hungry little belly with good food. When I first started going here in 08, there would maybe be 1 other table dining in. Last night, every table was full! Get the steamed juicy buns (duh) with crab & pork, a side of bok choy, and any other dumplings or the noodle dishes. Don't waste precious stomach real estate on rice dishes! The handmade noodles are awesome, albeit a bit on the greasy side. I always get them with "no soup" aka dry noodles because I get my fill of soup from the juicy buns. Nibble a little hole on top, slurp out broth as loud and obnoxious as possible to garner a laugh from your dining partner, put a splash of dumpling sauce on top, and gobble up the dumpling. Repeat 8 times (that's how many dumplings you get per order), eat some noodles, get reeeeeally full, pay your insanely cheap bill, and go home happy. PS - thanks Craig LaBan! Who would have thought.
(5)Phil T.
Tread warily, for navigating the path towards Xiao Long Bao, the dumpling delight, requires both diligence and daring-do. Should you manage to find the camouflaged cafe hidden in the shadow of the 11th Street tunnel; if you muster the courage to enter one of the dingiest dine-ins you have ever beheld; and even if you dare to order Xiao Long Bao, the bite-sized bun that bites back, you must still master one more challenge in order to avoid what would only be an "epic fail." The eating. Grab quickly and the dumplings will split open. Consume them whole and your mouth will be burned. Let them cool and the dumplings grow inedible. However, if you delicately place one these savory, soup-filled pork dumplings in a spoon, nip off the top, blow on the soup, wait just a moment, suck out the soup one sip at a time, and then devour the remnants, you will have experienced what can only be considered one of the finest dumplings in the city. Grab a few trusty comrades and split a few orders of these fun yet frugal delicacies. Do not let the location fool you; Dim Sum Garden is a palace.
(4)Richard P.
Food is really cheap. The rice was very dry. The place lacks decor. Come here if you are looking for a cheap meal.
(4)Tala T.
Several weeks ago the Count and I along with a few friends went on the Free Tours by Foot Chinatown Food Tour. We walked through Philadelphia's small yet historic Chinatown stopping by at the best spots for quick eats. The tour ended with a sit down lunch at Dim Sum Garden. I have walked by this spot without bothering to look twice only because it is under the convention center overpass and I wrongfully must have assumed that it could not be good given it's dark location. Wrong! Now onto the actual dumplings: our tour guide knew a thing or two about dumplings and ordered a few rounds for the table. I have never had a soup dumpling (xiao long bao) and found it to be such a treat. There is an entire process to having a soup dumpling. You must gently place one in your spoon. Place a hole at the top to allow the hot steam to cool off and place the whole thing in your mouth without spilling the contents on the inside. Essentially it's soup wrapped up in dough served with their own special dumpling sauce. Okay. That was great. Whats next? Next was the Shanghai siu mai- sticky rice and minced pork dumplings. These were also a first for me and were a real treat. Sticky rice with small bits of pork all mixed with a delicious sauce and beautifully bundled up into a dumpling. We also had the prawn dumplings, pork and chive dumplings and many other varieties of dumplings. One was better than the next. Best part is you know its fresh and handmade as you can see through the back counter where all the action is happening. It's cheap dumpling at its best. Don't be put off by the neon lights and interior facade. This is a place where you can satisfy your dumpling cravings not to go people watching (unless you enjoy watching suffering panhandlers and other characters on 11th street).
(4)